GutigftB? 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Bible and Church History 
Stories 



For the Primary Department of 
the Sunday School 



PUBLISHED BY THE 

DESERET SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION 
Salt Lake City, Utah 
1922 



Copyright, 1922, 
By David 0. McKay 
For the Deseret Sunday School Union 



SEP li '22 



Printed in the United States of America 

©CU681736 



PREFACE 



We are sending this work, "Bible and Church History 
Stories," to the teachers of the Primary Department as 
their official guide for our two years' course of study. In 
doing so we earnestly hope and sincerely pray that the 
stories will assist the teachers in presenting to the chil- 
dren under their care lessons that will so impress the lit- 
tle folks as to broaden and strengthen their characters, 
increase their faith, and make Latter-day Saints of them. 

Never fail to read and prayerfully study the Bible 
text itself, that you may be able to live the experience 
covered by the story, recognize the value of the truth it 
portrays, make the message your own, and from the 
abundance of your love for the truth, for our Heavenly 
Father, and for the children, give it to the little ones in 
such a way as to lead them to know, to feel, and to live 
the truth. 

Remember always that the story is but a means 
and not an end — a means "to reach and enrich their 
souls" — not merely their intellects. Tell it to them in your 
own way — the way best calculated to appeal to the hearts 
of the children of your class. Remember, however, that 
there are certain fundamentals that make for good story 
telling. First there must be an interesting Point of Contact 
Each lesson is provided, with one. You may use it or 
think out one that will go better. Lastly a good appli- 
cation of the story to the child's life should always be 
made. Likewise is each lesson provided with an applica- 
tion. The teacher is at liberty to improve on it. Possibly 
the application can better be fitted to local situations. 
The Text only is mandatory. However, we expect con- , 



sistency. If you change the lesson plan at. all, make it 
consistent throughout. 

May the Father give you to feel that you have painted 
"upon the living canvas of the soul the lessons of God and 
truth and immortality that shall resist the decaying hand of 
time and pass on to eternity." 

Though simply told. Ave indulge the hope that these 
stories will find a welcome in the homes of the people for 
fireside reading. 

We desire to acknowledge the great assistance we 
have received in the preparation of this book through ac- 
cess to the work of former members of the Primary De- 
partment Committee of the General Board. Our thanks 
are due especially to Elder William A. Morton, Sister 
Dorothy Bowman, Sister Ethel Simons Brinton, and Sis- 
ter Bessie F. Foster. 

Charles B. Felt, 
Frank K. Seegmiller, 
Florence S. Home Smith, 
Mabel Cook. 
Primary Dept. Committee of the General Board. 



PART I 



STORIES FROM 
THE OLD TESTAMENT 



Creation of Light 



FOREWORD 



In teaching Part I, Stories From the Old Testament, 
teachers should have in mind certain great objectives. In 
that distant time, God had a people living under peculiar 
conditions. But he foresaw that they might under proper 
guidance attain to great heights in working out and liv- 
ing moral and spiritual truth : Though they made many 
and great failures, nevertheless Ancient Israel is the 
noblest and most elevated people of antiquity. The chil- 
dren should early in life be made to feel the sanctity of 
Israel's divine mission in preparing the way for the com- 
ing of the Son of God. The following general aims drawn 
from the history of this time then become the teacher's 
Great Objectives of Stories From the Old Testament. 

That God is our Spiritual Father, "the Creator of the 
Heavens and the earth and all that in them is;" that He 
sent us here that we might learn to do His will, to gain 
a knowledge of Him, and to prove our love for Him by 
obedience, by service and by the cultivation of those 
moral and spiritual virtues through which we may grow 
to be like Him. Thus may we be prepared to accept the 
perfect revelation of God and His plan in Jesus Christ and 
His life. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 



Lesson 1 The Creation 11 

Lesson 2 The First Parents 17 

Lesson 3 Two Brothers 24 

Lesson 4 Most Wonderful City 28 

Lesson 5 Why the Rainbow is in the sky 32 

Lesson 6 How God Accomplished His Purpose 38 

Lesson 7 What a Righteous Man's Prayers Accomplished.... 41 

Lesson 8 A Father's Sacrifice 44 

Lesson 9 A Mother's Prayer 51 

Lesson 10 Rebekah at the Well 57 

Lesson 11 A Sacred Promise 63 

Lesson 12 Two Strange Dreams 69 

Lesson 13 The Man Who Knew the Future 73 

Lesson 14 The Dreams Fulfilled 77 

Lesson 15 A Cradle in a River 85 

Lesson 16 A Mighty Leader 91 

Lesson 17 A King's Power Overthrown 95 

Lesson 18 A Nation on the Move , 100 

Lesson 19 The Laws of the Lord 104 

Lesson 20 A Strange Conquest 109 

Lesson 21 A Daughter's Devotion 114 

Lesson 22 A Boy Who Lived in a Temple 119 

Lesson 23 A Shepherd Boy Chosen King 125 

Lesson 24 A Battle With a Giant 130 

Lesson 25 Respect for the Lord's Anointed 135 

Lesson 26 A Wise King 139 

Lesson 27 God's House 145 

Lesson 28 The Great Drought 150 

Lesson 29 The Chariot of Fire 155 

Lesson 30 A Prophet's Promise and a Widow's Faith 160 

Lesson 31 "And a Little Child Shall Lead Them" 164 

Lesson 32 Having Eyes They Saw Not 169 

Lesson 33 The Captive Princes 172 

Lesson 34 Youths Who Would Not Bow to an Idol 177 

Lesson 35 A Prince Who Dared to Serve God 180 

Lesson 36 A Brave Young Queen 184 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Page 

Creation of Light Frontispiece 

Garden of Eden 21 

The End of the Deluge 34 

Noah's Sacrifice 37 

Confusion of Tongues 40 

Trial of Abraham's Faith 50 

Abraham Sending Forth Hagar 54 

Hagar and Ishmael in the De.sert . 56 

Eliezer Meets Rebekah at the Well 61 

Meeting of Jacob and Rachel 66 

The Despair of Jacob 71 

Joseph Interpreting Pharaoh's Dream 76 

Joseph Making Himself Known to His Brethren 83 

Moses in the Ark 88 

Moses and the Burning Bush 92 

Pharaoh Urging Moses to Leave Egypt 97 

Israelites in the Desert 102 

The Laws of the Lord 107 

The Walls of Jericho Fall 113 

Ruth and Naomi 115 

Ruth , 118 

The Dedication of Samuel 121 

Infant Samuel 124 

David as a Good Shepherd . . . .» 129 

Judgment of Solomon 143 

Ahab and Elijah 154 

Elijah in Chariot of Fire 159 

Elisha and the Widow's Cruse of Oil 163 

Naaman's Wife and the Little Captive Maid 167 

Daniel in the Lions' Den 183 

Esther Braves the King -. 187 



Stories from the Old Testament 



LESSON 1. THE CREATION 

Text: Gen. 1; 2:1-3; Pearl of Great Price, Moses 2; 
Abraham 3 :22-28 ; 4. 

Aim: Love and reverence for God are shown by 
loving and revering what He has created. 

Memory Gem: "God saw everything that He had 
made, and, behold, it was very good." 

Songs : "The Opening Buds of Springtime," No. 72 
in Deseret Sunday School Songs. "The Wide, Wide 
World" in Songs of the Child World (Gaynor). Any 
good nature song. 

I. Council in Heaven. 

1. Our spirits in heaven. 

2. The great plan. 

II. God's Command. 

1. Chaotic state of matter. 

2. World takes definite form. 

3. Darkness on the deep. 

III. Periods of Creation. 

1. Earth and water. 

2. Day and night. 

3. Vegetable and animal life. — Man. 

IV. The Seventh Day. 

1. The Sabbath of the Lord. 
Point of Contact: Get the children to talk of the 
things of nature they love best — their animal pets ; the 
swimming-places ; the snow and ice which give them 
sleighing, coasting, and drinking water ; the flowers ; the 
mountains and canyons ; the fruits. 



12 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Lesson Statement: I. Once upon a time — so long 

ago that we cannot tell how long — there was no earth 
where our earth now is, no land, no water, no flowers, 
or grass or trees; but there was room or place for an 
earth. At that time we all lived in heaven with God our 
Heavenly Father. We do not remember it now, but our 
spirits lived there, and we knew Jesus and loved Him. 
We wanted to live on an earth where beautiful bodies 
would be given us and where we could do such splendid 
things that we could show God and Jesus that we really 
and truly loved them. 

And so it was decided that an earth should be formed, 
and that we should be permitted to live upon it. God knew 
that some would do wrong if left alone and that sin 
would come into the world. Then we could not come 
back to Him unless someone was willing to come and 
die for us. Jesus offered to come and do this. He was 
willing, because He loved us so much, to leave His 
heavenly home, come upon this earth, and suffer a cruel 
death, that we might at some time return to our 
Heavenly Father. He said, "Here am I ; send me. 
Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever." 
This made all of us happy and "the morning stars sang 
together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." 

II. I will tell you a pretty story of how this earth 
was formed. God knew where there was material from 
which an earth could be formed. 

"Once upon a time every place all through the sky 
was full of star dust, which God set whirling and whirl- 
ing until first one round world whirled off and went 
dancing along the path that God had bidden it follow, 
and then another and another and another, until all the 
sky was full of whirling worlds, all dancing along in the 
paths God bade them follow. One of these whirling 
worlds was the world that we live in. God's spirit 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



13 



brooded over it as the mother bird broods over her nest, 
until it was made ready to be a world that animals and 
people could live in." (Louise Seymour Houghton's 
"Telling Bible Stories.") 

"What makes this great world so beautiful?" The 
sunshine, the rivers and lakes, the trees and flowers, the 
birds and butterflies — oh, I am sure you could not tell 
me of everything that makes it so attractive. It is so 
wonderfully great and beautiful that we know no man 
could have made it, but God made it. It was very 
strange at first, for water was all over it. People could 
not live in water. God said, therefore, "Let the waters 
be gathered together and let dry land appear." Then 
the waters separated so the land appeared upon which 
man could live. 

Have you seen the mountains, the trees, the snow? 
What was it that helped you see them? Your eyes? 
Yes, they do help, but if you should go into a dark closet 
and shut the door, could you see anything? No, though 
you would still have your eyes. Then what is it that 
helps you to see? Why, yes, the bright sun. Do you 
know that when the earth was formed you could not 
have seen it had you been there? No sun could be seen, 
everything was dark. God knew that the people would 
not be happy if they had to stay in the dark all the time, 
so He said, "Let there be light;" and the beautiful light 
appeared. 

III. What do you think God called the time when it 
was light? Yes, just what we call it now, day. And 
when it was dark, He called it night. We love the sun- 
shine and yet we should love the darkness, also. We 
could not sleep so well nor so restfully, I am sure, if our 
rooms were as bright at night as in the day. 

Our Heavenly Father knew that after little children 
had worked and played all day, they would be very tired. 



14 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



He planned, therefore, to have the darkness come, so 
they might have a long, restful sleep and be bright and 
fresh for the next beautiful day. The animals need the 
rest, too. And even the flowers would not grow so well 
if the sun shone all the time. Some of them close their 
pretty eyes at night, just as little children do, and wait 
for the sunbeams to waken them. Can you tell me a 
flower that does this? 

Noav tell me some of the things the sun does for us. 

What else did God make to shine in the sky? Yes, 
He made the lovely moon and the stars, too. How beau- 
tiful the moonlight is ! Have you seen it sparkling on 
the snow, so brightly that there seemed to be diamonds 
shining all over the ground? How good God was to give 
us the lovely moon. How many stars did He make for 
us, children? More than we can count. And they are 
beautiful also. 

But the earth was not fit for man to live upon, for it 
was brown and bare. Nothing grew upon it to make it 
look pretty, and so God, who wanted it to be beautiful, 
made things grow upon it. What do you think they 
were? God made a soft, warm mist to come, just as it 
comes now sometimes in the summer mornings. The 
mist makes the ground soft and warm, so the seeds could 
grow, for He hid many little seeds in the earth, and they 
were waiting till He sent His mist to call them to spring 
up to make grass and flowers, trees and bushes. (If time 
permitted, one could ask the children to name some of 
the trees they know; talk of their beauty and use, of the 
sweet music of the rustling leaves when the winds blow, 
of the changing colors in different seasons, of the fruits 
they bear for our use ; the benefit we get from their wood 
in building our homes, our chapel, our furniture. Then 
speak of the vines, the flowers, the grass and the grains.) 

Yet after all this, earth was silent, for there were no 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



15 



birds to sing in the trees, no fish to swim in the waters. 
No animals roamed through the forests, and no people 
gathered flowers or fruit. God then made the creatures 
which live in the water — what do we call them? 

After God had made the fishes to live in the water 
He made the birds to fly in the air. Of what use and 
beauty are they? Then God made the animals — and 
what a lot of them. (Draw from the children the names 
and uses of many animals.) 

And now God made the most wonderful thing of all 
— and what do you think it was? Yes, a man. All that 
had been made before was for the people whom God 
intended should come upon the earth; all these things 
were prepared for us, for we are all the children of that 
man whom God first placed upon the earth. 

God said, "Let us make man in our own image, after 
our likeness." I am sure he was a splendid man, tall 
and straight, with beautiful eyes and hair, for he was in 
the image and likeness of God. God gave him dominion 
— that is, he was to have charge of all the things God 
had previously made. God told this man to name all 
of these birds and animals, etc., which he did. But he 
was alone with no one to help him, so God made for him 
a woman ; and these two became the first Father and 
Mother of all the people. They were among the noblest 
of all those in heaven, and the name of the man was 
Adam and of the woman, Eve. 

If you had seen this beautiful world then, what 
would you have said of it? That it was good? Well, 
that is just what God said. "God saw everything that 
He had made, and, behold it was very good." 

IV. This great work was now finished, and God ap- 
pointed a day of rest. He called it the seventh day, the 
Sabbath, and He rested on that day and hallowed it. 
This is why we have our happy Sundays, when we may 



16 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



think about God more than we do on any other day, 
because we are resting from our every-day plays, just 
as He rested when He finished making all the world, the 
sun and the stars, and the animals and man. 
Let us repeat our memory gem. 

(Adapted principally from Laura Ellen Cragin's Bible 
Stories.) 

Application : 1 know a little boy who has a dog that 
loves him so much that he can teach it many, many 
tricks. It wants to be with him and do things for him 
all the time. How do you suppose he must have treated 
that dog, one of the gifts God has created for him on this 
earth? 

The other day I saw another boy who was walking 
on the sidewalk pick up a stone and throw at a dog that 
he saw running harmlessly by in the street. He called 
that fun. Which of those boys loved God's gifts the 
more? How can you tell? Why would he be likely to 
love God the more also? 

I know of two homes standing side by side. One has 
a beautiful, thick, well-kept lawn around it, and so many 
flowers planted that there are some in bloom nearly all 
the time except in winter. The other has a thin, brown- 
ish-colored lawn and no flowers. Which family is enjoy- 
ing this beautiful earth that God has created for us the 
more? Of course, they had to work to get these things 
to grow, but God has placed them here for us to use if 
we love them enough to work for them. 

Which of these things do you love? Which do you 
work to get? 

Note: Have the children memorize the following, 
which may be learned as a song if the teacher knows 
the tune : 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



-17 



GOD'S GOODNESS 

Snow-white lilies as they nod, 
Tell us of the love of God; 
And the brooklet flowing by, 
Lifts the voice of praise on high ; 
Everything in field and wood 
Praises God, for He is good. 

All the dew-drops everywhere, 
Tell the flowers of beauty rare, 
As they greet them with a kiss, 

"God sends dew-drops down like this." 
Let us praise Him as they should, 
For our God is kind and good. 

Little stars in heaven above, 
Tell of God's eternal love ; 
Children, too, their voices raise, 
In glad hymns and songs of praise, 
Singing swee'dy as they should, 
To our God so kind and good. 

LESSON 2. THE FIRST PARENTS 

Text: Genesis 2, 3: Pearl of Great Price, Moses 
3:8-25; 4: 5:4-11. 

Aim and Memory Gem : "Honor thy Father and thy 
Mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which 
the Lord thy God giveth thee." 

I. Our First Parents. 

1. Honor due to them. 

2. Their home. 

II. Breaking of the Commandment. 

1. The commandment. 

2. The temptation. 

3. The fall. 

2 



18. 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



III. The Penalty. 

1. Adam and Eve become mortal. 

2. Driven from garden. 

3. Changes in the earth. 

4. Labor and pain. 

IV. The Plan of Salvation Revealed. 

1. Adam and Eve call upon the Lord. 

2. Angel sent from heaven. 

3. Adam and Eve rejoice. 

Point of Contact: Once upon a time there were two 
little children, named Philip and Marjorie. Their father 
and mother planned a lovely playroom for them as a 
pleasant surprise. The sunlight came in brightly through 
the windows, many pretty pictures were on the walls, 
birds sang in cages, and goldfish swam about in a large 
glass jar. Pretty plants blossomed in the windows, and 
flowers were arranged in vases. 

There were more toys than I can begin to tell you 
about — dolls, a doll's house and cunning blocks and balls. 
You can just think how delighted the children were when 
they saw all these beautiful things ! They danced about 
their papa and mamma and cried: 

"Oh, how lovely it all is ! How good you are to give 
it to us !" 

Then papa said, "Children, it is all yours and you 
may play with what you please. The candy is simple 
and won't hurt you and you can eat any of the fruit 
except these apples. They are not quite ripe and might 
make you ill, so you must not touch them." 

Then papa and mamma left the room, and for a long 
time the children played with the toys very happily. 
At last, however, Marjorie began to get a little tired of 
play ; and as she wandered about the room, she happened 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



19 



to notice the dish of apples on the table. Other fruit 
was there also, but those pretty, rosy apples seemed nicer 
than anything else. The more she looked the more she 
wanted them. She forgot all the other things that had 
been given to her and she thought: "I don't see why 
papa doesn't want us to eat those apples. I'm just sure 
they wouldn't hurt us." 

Then she touched one with her finger. After a mo- 
ment she took it in her hand, and at last she tasted it. 
As soon as she had done this, she called to her brother, 
"Oh, Philip, you don't know how good these apples are 1" 

Philip came quickly and cried out, "Why, Marjorie, 
papa told us not to touch them!" 

"I know," said Marjorie, "but I did want them so 
much and I don't believe they'll hurt us a bit. You'd 
better" take one, too. I'm sure they are ripe and they 
taste so good." 

Philip said, "Indeed I won't." But instead of going 
back to his toys, he looked and looked at the beautiful 
apples, until at last, he, too, tasted one. 

Just then papa came to the room to see how the chil- 
dren were enjoying the surprise. Instead of running to 
him with happy faces, Philip and Marjorie hung their 
heads and looked so ashamed. Papa asked, "Why, what 
have you been doing, children?" 

Then he saw the fruit in their hands and he said very 
sadly: "Have you really eaten the apples? When we 
gave you so many beautiful things, couldn't you mind us 
and not touch this fruit?" 

He took each by the hand and said : "You must come 
out of this pretty room where we hoped you would be so 
happy. When you are strong enough to do just what 
we tell you, and when your elder brother, who has not 
disobeyed us, asks us to let you, you may come back and 



20 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



play here again." (Adapted from Laura Ella Cragin's 
"Bible Stories.") 

Lesson Statement: I. Who stand at the head of our 

homes? 

I am sure our hearts are full of love for the parents 
our Heavenly Father has given us, and that we obey His 
command and honor and obey them. Our Heavenly 
Father has said, "Honor thy Father and thy Mother that 
thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy 
God giveth thee." 

I am going to tell you of the first Father and Mother 
that were on this earth, and of the beautiful home God 
made for them, that we may love and honor them, too, 
for they are related to us. 

We have learned how God formed the heavens and 
the earth, the birds and beasts, and made man just like 
Himself in face and form, and how He then rested on 
the seventh day and hallowed it. 

For this man, whose name was Adam, God planted 
the most beautiful garden ever seen, having in it every 
fruit, every flower, every graceful shrub and vine, and 
every stately tree. The air was laden with sweet per- 
fume, and birds with the most beautiful plumage flew 
from tree to tree, their sweet music filling the air with 
melody. Great lions roamed through the garden, while 
lambs and other animals fed peacefully in the green pas- 
tures. The lion did not want to harm the lamb, nor was 
the lamb afraid of the lion, for love and peace filled the 
earth. Fish of all kinds darted through the waters. 
Everything was beautiful and much to be desired, but 
the most wonderful of all created things was man, whom 
God had made in His own image. 

And God gave Adam charge of this beautiful garden, 
the Garden of Eden ; and He commanded that every 



Garden of Eden J an Breugiiel 



22 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



beast of the field, and every fowl of the air "should come 
unto Adam to see what he would call them. And Adam 
gave names to all cattle, and to the fowls of the air, and 
to every beast of the field." 

Our Heavenly Father also gave Adam a wife, whose 
name was Eve, and they were the only people in all the 
world. Their spirits had lived with God and our spirits 
up in heaven, where they were so good and great, and 
God so loved them that He chose them to come to this 
earth to become our first parents. Should we not love 
and honor them, too ! 

Just think of this — the Lord visited and talked with 
Adam and Eve, and He said to them: "Of every tree 
of the garden thou mayest freely eat : but of the tree of 
the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: 
nevertheless thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is 
given unto thee." But they were told that if they ate 
the fruit of the "Tree of Knowledge" they would have 
to leave the garden and some time they would die. 

II. Then the evil spirit came to Eve in the form of a 
serpent and told her that she would not die if she ate of 
that fruit, but that it would make her wise; and she 
believed the evil one and ate some of it. Then she gave 
some to Adam ; and while he knew what would happen 
if he ate it, he also partook, as he did not want to be 
separated from Eve. 

III. The Lord then turned them out of the garden ; 
and, because sin had come into the world, thorns and 
thistles and weeds began to grow; many animals- became 
cross and angry ; and the earth was no longer so peaceful 
and beautiful. Adam then had to work hard, to dig the 
earth, to plant the seed and to reap the crops for food, 
while pain came to both him and Eve. 

IV. They prayed to the Lord and He heard their 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



23 



prayers. He sent His angel to tell them to offer sacri- 
fice ; that is, to take an animal, kill it, and burn it upon 
a table of stone. They obeyed this commandment. 

Then our Heavenly Father sent His angel again to 
Adam to tell him that Jesus, the Son of God, would come 
into the world as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, 
and that the sacrifice he had been told to offer repre- 
sented the sacrifice that Jesus would make, and so was 
to be offered until He, Jesus, should come into the world. 

This message was given to Adam : "As thou hast 
fallen thou mayest be redeemed and all mankind, even 
as many as will." So Adam knew that he and all his 
children, that is, all the people who should come to live 
upon the earth, would be resurrected ; and if they were 
baptized and served the Lord they would go back to live 
with Him. 

This promise made Adam and Eve very happy. They 
again obeyed the Lord and were baptized in water, just- 
as we are ; and our Heavenly Father sent His Holy Spirit 
upon them and they were rilled with joy. Adam said, 
"Blessed be the name of God, for because of my trans- 
gression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have 
joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God." 

"And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was 
glad, saying: 'Were it not for our transgression we 
never should have had seed, and never should have 
known good from evil, and the joy of our redemption 
and the eternal life which God giveth all the obedient/ " 

Adam and Eve obeyed the Lord and He loved them. 

Application: Who were our first parents? 

What have we in our hearts for them? 

How did our Heavenly Father show them honor? 

How can we honor them? 



24 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 

After they were driven from the Garden of Eden, 
what did the angel tell Adam to do? 
How were they to offer sacrifice? 
Adam and Eve rejoiced. Why? 

SONG 

In the Garden of Eden our first parents lived, 
Where all things about them were fair, 

Where the trees and the shrubs yielded goodly fruit 
And the fragrance of flowers filled the air. 

In this lovely retreat there they walked with the Lord ; 

Who taught them His will to obey. 
Of what things they should eat and of what they should 
not 

He there told them and then went away. 

For their not giving heed to the Lord's strict command. 

From the beautiful garden they're turned, 
They henceforth must suffer grief, sorrow and pain, 

And by labor their bread must be earned. 

But He gave them a promise that made their hearts glad 
That to earth He would send His dear Son, 

Whose blood should atone for the sins of mankind, 
And bring them to heaven once again. 

(Note— The tune "Ben Bolt" or that of "Peek-a-Boo," 
without the chorus, could be used for this song.) 



LESSON 3. TWO BROTHERS 

Text : Genesis 4 ; Pearl of Great Price, Moses 5 ; 
6:1-10. 

Aim: Those who serve the Lord in little things are 
safe from great temptation. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



25 



Memory Gem: "If thou doest well, shalt thou not 
be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the 
door." 

I. Early Life of Cain and Abel. 

1. Babies. 

2. Boyhood. 

3. Manhood. 

II. Their Offerings. 

1. Abel's love for the Lord. 

2. Cain's disloyalty. 

III. The Slaying of Abel. 

IV. The Penalty. 

1. Cain banished. 

2. Marked with a dark skin. 

Point of Contact: A father sent his two young sons 
out into his field to work for him. They were to hoc 
in his garden. One went out willingly, worked cheer- 
fully all the day, and by night had done his share of the 
rows to be hoed. 

The other grumbled at having to go and played a 
while before beginning his task ; and when he did work, 
he did it in a slow, lazy, careless manner which said 
plainly, "I'm doing this only because I have to do it." 

At night their father went out to see how much each 
had done. How do you think he felt toward the first 
boy? Toward the second boy? Which would get the 
more love? How would the other boy be likely to feel? 
Would he have any right to feel angry toward his father? 
Toward his brother? Why? How could he get his 
father's love and respect if he wanted them? 

Lesson Statement : I. Adam and Eve were now very 
happy because they knew that if they served the Lord, 
they would go back to live with Him. 

Some time after they left the Garden of Eden a great 



26 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



blessing came to them. A dear little baby boy was born. 
Adam and Eve loved this baby and tried to teach him 
to do right. Other sons and daughters were born to onr 
first parents. When the boys grew up, they began to till 
the land and to tend flocks. They had sons and daugh- 
ters also, so that now there were quite a number of peop-e 
upon the earth. 

"Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they 
made all things known unto their sons and daughters.'' 
They showed them how to offer sacrifice ; they told them 
to be baptized and serve the Lord in all things. But 
the evil spirit tempted many of them, and they loved 
"Satan more than God." 

So when another baby boy was born to them, Adam 
and Eve rejoiced, and Eve said, "Surely he will serve the 
Lord." This baby boy was named Cain. Some time 
afterwards, Cain's baby brother, Abel, was born. How 
happy the father and mother were as they watched these 
little boys growing up; how hopeful, too, that both of 
them would serve God. Abel was obedient to his par- 
ents. He prayed to the Lord and tried to do what was 
right. This made Adam and Eve very happy, but Cain 
brought only sorrow to them. He would not pray to 
God. He disobeyed his father and mother. 

When these two boys grew to be men, "Abel was a 
keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground." 

Abel being a shepherd, went out on the hillside and 
took care of his flocks of sheep. During the day he 
found good pasture for them. He led them where they 
could find water to drink, he protected them from wild 
animals. At night he brought them safe within the fold. 
And as he worked, he "hearkened unto the Lord." His 
thoughts were pure and he lived a good life. 

Cain was a farmer. He went out into the field &r\(\ 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



27 



plowed the ground. Then he planted the seed. He 
watched the crop and took care of it until it was ripe, 
when he cut it down. 

II. But Cain loved Satan more than God. And Satan 
commanded him, saying: "Make an offering unto the 
Lord." And "Cain brought of the fruit of the ground 
an offering unto the Lord." 

Abel also brought an offering unto the Lord. He 
brought a little lamb as his offering, and he brought it 
with love and respect, to show honor to the Lord. But 
Cain brought his offering because. Satan had told him to. 
Whose offering do you think was accepted by the Lord? 
Yes, Abel's ; and when Cain saw that Abel's offering was 
accepted and his was not, he became very angry. The 
Lord said to him: "Why art thou wroth? If thou doest 
well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not 
well, sin lieth at the door." 

III. The Lord then told Cain that if he did not re- 
pent, Satan should have power over him. But Cain paid 
no heed to this warning. Abel tried to help Cain to do 
right, but this only made him more angry and jealous. 
Abel had worked hard and owned large flocks. Cain 
envied him and desired to possess these flocks. The evil 
spirit tempted Cain by suggesting that if he were to kill 
his brother, he could get the flocks. "And Cain went 
into the field, and Cain talked with his brother. And 
while they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, 
his brother, and slew him." This was not the impulse of 
an evil moment, but the result of yielding to the power 
of Satan many times before. 

IV. Cain was punished very severely for what he had 
done. He became a wanderer upon the earth. The 
ground that he tilled was cursed, and would not yield 
unto him its strength. Cain cried out, "My punishment 



28 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



is greater than I can bear, and he that findeth me will 
slay me." But the Lord claims the right to take ven- 
geance. He has said : "To me belongeth vengeance and 
recompense." So the Lord caused Cain's skin to become 
dark, "lest anyone finding him should slay him." 

"And Cain was shut out from the presence of the 
Lord, and with his wife and many of his brethren dwelt 
in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden." 

Application: Every time we get angry it becomes 
harder for us to control ourselves. Why is it dangerous 
for us to get angry? How can we help bad tempers? 
Besides hurting someone else, how can we hurt our- 
selves? The more we think ugly, bad thoughts about 
other people, the more disagreeable and ugly we become 
ourselves. And sometimes a child's temper will grow 
so strong, if he does not check it, that he may do some- 
thing while angry or jealous that he will be sorry for all 
his life. Illustrate. 



LESSON 4. MOST WONDERFUL CITY 

Text: Genesis 5:18-24; Pearl of Great Price, Moses 
6:21-68; 7. 

Aim and Memory Gem: "Blessed are the pure in 

heart : for they shall see God." 

L Enoch. — Descendant of righteous line through Seth. 

II. The Call of Enoch. 

1. The Lord appears. 

2. Enoch's humility and call. 

3. Made a seer. 

III. Enoch's Missionary Work. 

1. Preaches of Jesus who was to come, 

2. How received. 

3. Power given Enoch, 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



29 



IV. The Building of Zion. 

1. The people and the land blessed. 

2. Unity — no poor — all pure in heart. 

3. City of Holiness. 

V. A Most Wonderful Vision. 

1. The flood. ' 

2. The coming of the Lord. 

3. The wicked in prison. 

4. God wept. 

5. God's promises. 

VI. Zion Fled. 

1. God walked and talked with Enoch 300 years. 

2. Took the city to heaven. 

3. Promise of return. 

Point of Contact: What do we mean by pure water? 
By pure food? By pure air? Sometimes we speak of 
people as having pure minds and hearts. What do we 
mean by that? Today we are going to hear about a 
wonderful thing which happened to some people because 
they were pure. 

Lesson Statement: I. We have told you of two sons 
of Adam and Eve, one of whom loved the Lord, the other 
being a very wicked man. Other children were born to 
Adam, among them a boy named Seth, who, like Abel, 
loved and served the Lord. 

Now we shall tell you of one of his descendants, the 
seventh from Adam. His name was Enoch. He loved 
the Lord and served him so well that God blessed him 
in many wonderful ways — as He will bless us if we serve 
Him as Enoch did. 

By this time there were hosts of men on' the earth, 
most of them very wicked ; and oh, how the earth had 
changed from the beauty and peace of the Garden of 
Eden, and all because of sin ! 



30 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



II. While Enoch was on a journey the Lord spoke 
to him saying : "My son, prophesy unto this people, and 
say unto them, repent, for thus saith the Lord ; my fierce 
anger is kindled against this people" because of their sins. 
Enoch bowed to the earth and said : "Why is it that I 
have found favor in Thy sight? I am but a lad. Besides 
I am slow of speech." God can qualify for missionary 
work all who love Him and are pure in heart, so He said : 
"Go forth, and do as I have commanded thee." "Behold 
my Spirit is upon thee." "The mountains shall flee be- 
fore thee, and the rivers shall turn from their course." 

The Lord told him to do a strange thing: to anoint 
his eyes with clay and wash them. Enoch had faith and 
did so, and then beheld a most wonderful vision. He 
saw the spirits of all men and all things not visible to our 
eyes. God thus made him a Seer. 

III. Enoch went forth calling upon the people to re- 
pent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, promis- 
ing those who did so the gift of the Holy Ghost. He told 
them that God would send His Son, Jesus, to the earth 
to die for them. 

These things made the wicked angry, and they led 
their armies against Enoch whom the good people had 
chosen as their leader. 

So great was Enoch's faith that, when he spoke the 
word of the Lord, the earth trembled, mountains moved, 
rivers turned out of their course, and the roar of lions 
was heard out of the wilderness. The wicked, terrified, 
fled afar off. 

IV. The people who accepted Enoch's teachings 
found favor before the Lord, and He blessed them and 
the land for their sakes. The people became united, each 
"loved his neighbor as himself," there were no poor 
among them, and all became pure in heart. They built 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



31 



a city, which was called the "City of Holiness, even 
Zion," because all its people dwelt in righteousness. 

V. The Lord showed Enoch one of the most won- 
derful visions ever seen — all that was to happen to the 
end of the world : The coming of the flood because of 
wickedness ; the destruction of all but Noah and his 
family; the coming of Jesus in the meridian of time, 
when multitudes of people were again . upon the earth 
and again in sin ; Jesus's ministry and crucifixion ; and the 
wicked in prison waiting for deliverance. At one time 
when Enoch beheld the suffering and misery of the 
wicked, he saw that God wept, and Enoch said : "How 
is it that Thou canst weep, seeing Thou art holy?" And 
the Lord answered : "Behold these thy brethren ; they 
are the workmanship of my own hands." They have been 
given "commandment that they should love one another, 
and that they should choose me, their Father; but be- 
hold, they are without affection." Because of their wick- 
edness they would have to suffer punishment and "for 
this shall the heavens weep." Enoch also wept, but the 
Lord said, "Lift up your heart and be glad: and look." 
Then the Lord showed him how Jesus would come to 
save the people by dying on a cross. Our Heavenly 
Father gave Enoch a promise that after Noah the earth 
should never again be destroyed by a flood ; that in the 
last days the Lord would come again, bring about the 
resurrection from the dead, and gather the righteous to 
a place He would prepare, even a Holy City, which 
should also be "called Zion, a New Jerusalem." The 
Lord said to Enoch : "Then shalt thou and all thy city 
meet them there, and we will receive them into our 
bosom, and they shall see us ; and we will fall upon their 
necks, and we will kiss each other." "And for the space 
of a thousand years the earth shall rest." 

VI. "Enoch and all his people walked with God, and 



32 



Primary department 



He dwelt in the midst of Zion ; and it came to pass that 
Zion was not, for God received it up into His bosom. ' : 
Thus through right living, loving one another, being 
pure in heart, and obeying the Lord in all things, the 
people and their city were taken to heaven. 

Application: Shall we belong to that later Zion, and 
be among those who "shall meet the Lord and Enoch's 
band triumphant"? - 

How must we live, then? Tell something of Enoch's 
life which shows that he was obedient to the Lord. What 
did our Heavenly Father show Enoch? What happened 
to the city of "Zion"? Why? 

What promise has our Heavenly Father given to the 
pure in heart? What is one of the best ways to crowd 
out bad thoughts? How can you keep your hearts pure? 
What is one of the best ways to crowd out angry or 
jealous feelings toward our friends? 



LESSON 5. WHY THE RAINBOW IS IN THE SKY 

Text: Genesis 6, 7, 8:1-17; Moses 8:15-30. 

References: Bible Stories — Laura Ella Cragin. 

Aim: Our Heavenly Father guides and protects 
those who obey Him and seek His counsel. 

Memory Gem: "I do set my bow in the cloud, and 
it shall be for a token of a convenant between me and the 
earth." 

I. Condition of the Earth and Its People. 

1. Wickedness. 

2. God's displeasure. 

II. Noah. 

1. Descendant of Enoch. 

2. Humble and obedient. 

3. God's love for Noah. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



33 



III. The Flood Predicted. 

1. The reason for the flood. 

2. Noah builds an ark and points way of escape. 

IV. The Ark. 

1. Noah shows his faith by his works. 

2. Stores ark with food and "two and two of all 

flesh." 

V. The Deluge. 

1. Duration — Result. 

VI. God Dries Up the Water. 

1. Ark rests on land. 

2. The raven and the dove. 

3. Noah leaves the ark — Thanksgiving. 

VII. God's Covenant. — The sign and its significance. 
Point of Contact: How many of you have seen a 

rainbow? Name its colors. When does it appear? Do 
you know that it means a promise? Would you like to 
know how it came to mean that? 

Lesson Statement: I. Hundreds of years had passed 
since the Lord showed Enoch that there should be one 
of his descendants who should perform a very remark- 
able work, and it was now to be fulfilled. Noah was 
born. At this time there were many people living on 
the earth. They were all wicked except a few. These 
wicked people would not do as the Lord told them. 
They did not pray or go to meeting to worship Him 
upon the Sabbath day. They thought evil thoughts and 
did wicked things all the time. Their children were fol- 
lowing their bad example. The Lord was very much 
displeased with them and saw that He would have to 
punish them, in order to teach them to be good. So He 
decided, if they would not repent, to destroy them by 
sending a flood of water upon the earth. 

3 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



35 



II. There were eight good people on the earth at that 
time. They ^were Noah, his wife, their three sons — 
Shem, Ham, and Japheth — and their wives. Noah loved 
the Lord and kept His commandments. He taught his 
children to speak the truth, to be always kind and loving, 
and to serve the Lord in all things. This pleased the 
Lord. He loved Noah and said He would remember his 
family. 

III. One day the Lord told Noah He was going to 
destroy the world by a flood. He told Noah to build an 
ark, or large boat, in which he and his family could live 
while the earth was covered with water. Noah felt very 
sad when he heard that the people were going to be 
destroyed. He preached to them for many years, and 
pleaded with them to turn from their evil ways and to 
do as their Heavenly Father wished them. Noah con- 
tinued his preaching unto the people, saying, "Believe 
and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of 
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as your fathers, and 
ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all 
things made manifest; and if ye do not this the floods 
will come upon you." But not one of them would obey 
him. They did not believe that a flood would come. 
No doubt some of them made fun of Noah and thought 
him very foolish. 

IV. But Noah believed what the Lord had told him, 
and he and his sons set to work building the ark. They 
built one story, then another, and then a third. Afterward 
they put on a flat roof to cary off the rain. They put win- 
dows in the upper story to give light, and a door in the 
side. Then they covered the ark with tar to keep out 
the water. 

At last the ark was finished. It was as large as some 
of the steamers that are built these days. Noah and his 



36 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



sons then gathered food for themselves and their families, 
also for the birds and animals, and stored it in the ark. 
Then the Lord told Noah to gather the animals and to 
go into the ark. 

V. A week later the sky became dark, there were 
terrible peals of thunder, and soon after the rain began 
to fall. It fell gently at first, then faster and faster. 
When it had rained for several days, the people became 
frightened. They felt that Noah had told them the truth 
and that the flood was upon them. They wished they 
had repented, but now it was too late, for the Lord had 
shut the door of the ark and they could not get in. It 
kept on raining until all the houses were covered, then 
the hills, and at last the high mountains. It rained for 
forty days and forty nights, until nothing could be seen 
but water all over the earth. 

VI. At length the rain ceased. Then the Lord sent 
a wind to dry up the water. Some time after the ark 
stopped floating. It had rested upon the top of a high 
mountain called Ararat. Soon after that Noah sent forth 
a raven, but the bird did not come back. A week later 
he sent forth a dove, but the dove could not find a bush 
or tree to rest upon, so it returned to the ark. At the 
end of another week Noah sent out the dove again. This 
time it came back with a green leaf in its bill. That was 
a sign that the green leaves were growing again. 

VII. At last Noah heard the voice of God say, "Go 
forth from thy ark, thou and thy wife, and thy sons and 
thy sons' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every 
living thing that is with thee, both birds and cattle and 
every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, that 
they may be fruitful and multiply upon the earth." How 
happy Noah and his family felt! How good it was to 
be on land again ! The first thing that Noah did after 



38 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



coming out of the ark was to kneel down with his family 
and thank the Heavenly Father for taking care of them, 
while all the rest of the people perished. He also offered 
sacrifice to the Lord. 

The Lord was pleased with Noah for this, and He 
promised that He would never again destroy the world 
by a flood. He placed the rainbow in the sky as the sign 
that He would kep His promise. He said to Noah, 
"I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token 
of a covenant between me and the earth." 

Application: For what purpose did the Heavenly 
Father place the rainbow in the sky? Why were Noah 
and his family saved? In what ways can children obey 
the Lord? By obeying parents in little things we learn 
to obey the Heavenly Father in greater ones. 



LESSON 6. HOW GOD ACCOMPLISHED HIS 
PURPOSE 

Text: Genesis 11 :l-9. 

Aim: "Man cannot thwart the purposes of God." 
Memory Gem: "The earth is the Lord's and the 
fulness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein." 

I. Condition of the Earth After the Flood. 

1. Cities and homes destroyed. 

2. Choosing site for new home. 

II. Building of the City. 

1. Attitude of the people. 

2. Dependence on their own strength. 

III. Probable Reasons for Building Tower. 

1. To reach heaven. 

2. To make name for themselves. 

3. Protection from flood. 

4. Military defense. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



39 



IV. Construction of Tower. 

1. Material. 

2. Probable size and shape. 

V. Confusion of Tongues. 

1. The Lord's purpose. 

2. Result. 

Point of Contact: Do you sometimes want to go 
out of doors when the weather is very cold or a storm 
is raging? Do you not often think you know better than 
mother when she tells you to put on your coat or your 
•rubbers? Think how much older she is than you and 
how many more storms she must have seen. Would she 
not know better than you what things to wear? The 
Bible tells us of some people who thought they knew so 
much that they didn't need to be told anything. Would 
you like to have me tell about them? 

Lesson Statement: I. After the flood the people had 
to begin life anew as it were. Their homes and their 
cities were destroyed, so all had to be rebuilt. They 
journeyed to the east until they came to a plain in the 
land of Shinar, where they decided to make their new 
home. 

II. The Lord, desirous that a great part of the earth 
should be cultivated, wanted them to send colonies 
abroad, but, conscious of their own strength, and being 
of a disobedient nature, they would not. 

III. In their unity they were mighty, a unity that 
would have accomplished wonderful and wonderfully 
good things, had it not been used for a foolish purpose. 
They said, "Let us build a city and a tower whose top 
may reach unto heaven, and let us make a name, lest we 
be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth." It may 
be, too, that they thought the tower might prove a place 
of refuge from possible future floods. They appear 
already to have forgotten the Lord and the promise He 




Confusion of Tongues 



Dore 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



41 



gave them in the rainbow. They may have thought it 
would aid them in military defense. 

IV. Their city was soon built and their tower 
began to rear its head to a great height. Although we 
have no record of the dimensions and shape of this tower, 
it was probably like some other smaller ones in the same 
locality. One of these, Birsh Nimrod, was an oblique 
pyramid, built in several receding stages. Its base was 
two hundred seventy-two feet square, and total height 
one hundred fifty-six feet. 

V. Now the Lord saw their disobedience and was 
much displeased. He desired the people to scatter over 
the face of the earth, build cities, till the soil, and carry 
on His work as He had directed them. But they found 
it much easier to remain together and combine their 
efforts. 

At this time the world was of one language and of 
one speech. Now the Lord confounded their speech, 
giving each a language understood only by himself. This, 
of course, forced them to stop building, and', in time, they 
scattered over the earth according to the Lord's plan. 

Application: Who is wiser than all of us? Who 
loves us and knows so much more than we? Who sends 
the sun to warm us, the rains to cause our food to grow ? 
Who is the Giver of all good? How can we show that 
we love Him and want to prove our love? 



LESSON 7. WHAT A RIGHTEOUS MAN'S 
PRAYERS ACCOMPLISHED 

Text: Book of Mormon, Ether 1, 2, 3; 6:1-13. 
Aim: Our Heavenly Father hears and answers sin- 
cere prayers. 

Memory Gem: "And thus will I bless thee, because 
this long time thou hast prayed unto me." 



42 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



I. At the Confusion of Tongues. 

1. Jared and his righteous brother seek the Lord in 
prayer. 
2. Prayers answered. 

a. The Lord's instructions. 

b. Promised blessings. 

II. The Journey. 

1. To the seashore. 

2. Preparing to cross the ocean — eight wonderful 

vessels. 
[II. In the Promised Land. 

1. Their gratitude. 

2. Cultivate the land. 

Point of Contact: Two weeks ago we heard a story 
telling how God protected a man and his family. Who 
was this man? (Noah.) Who was saved with him? 
How were they saved? What happened to the other 
people? Why were they destroyed? Why were Noah 
and his family saved? It seems as though God can 
always see the good people, even though they are sur- 
rounded by the wicked, and He will help them if they 
ask Him sincerely. Today we are going to have a story 
about a man whose prayers were heard. 

Lesson Statement: I. Not all the people were dis- 
obedient at the time of the building of the Tower of 
Babel. In fact, some of them were very righteous and 
prayerful. Among these were a man named Jared and 
his brother. They had always served the Lord and had 
been greatly blessed by Him. In their distress, as at all 
other times, they sought the Lord in prayer. At the 
time the people's language was changed, Jared asked his 
brother to "cry unto the Lord, that He will not confound 
us that we may not understand our words." "And the 
Lord had compassion upon Jared; therefore He did not 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



43 



confound Jared ; and Jared and his brother were not con- 
founded." 

Then they prayed again to the Lord, asking Him this 
time that the language of their friends and their families 
be not confounded. This prayer was answered also. 
We can imagine how thankful and happy were the little 
band of people. They were able to understand each 
other, to mingle together in their pleasures, their work, 
and their prayers. 

Then they knew the Lord had a purpose in preserv- 
ing their language. A third time the brother of Jared 
prayed unto the Lord, asking Him if they were to be 
driven from the land, and, if so, where they should go. 
And the Lord answered and said : "Go together and 
gather thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind ; 
and also of the seed of the earth of every kind ; and thy 
families ; and also Jared thy brother and his family ; and 
also thy friends and their families. And when thou hast 
done this, thou shalt go at the head of them down into 
the valley, which is northward. And there will I meet 
thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice 
above all the lands of the earth. 

"And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise 
up unto me of thy seed, and of the seed of thy brother, 
and they who shall go with thee, a great nation. And 
there shall be none greater than the nation which I shall 
raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the 
earth. And thus I will do unto thee because this long 
time ye have cried unto me." 

II. So, in obedience unto the command of the Lord, 
Jared and his family, his brother and his family, and 
their friends, about twenty-two in all, began their jour- 
ney into the wilderness. They were guided by the Lord 
to the shores of the great ocean, where they lived for 
four years. Then, in obedience to God's command, eight 



44 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



vessels were built, being made much like the submarine 
vessels now being used, as to shape and being water- 
tight, even if they should go under the water. The Lord 
said : "For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst 
of the sea, for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. 
Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths 
of the sea." 

For light, the brother of Jared melted out of a rock 
sixteen small stones, making them clear and white, even 
as transparent as glass, and then asked the Lord to touch 
them that they might give light' in the vessels. The Lord 
did so, and two of these stones were placed in each 
vessel. "And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in 
darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, 
that they might not cross the great waters in darkness." 
And this people crossed the ocean to America. 

III. When they had landed, they bowed down and 
prayed to God, thanking Him for caring for them during 
the journey, and for bringing them in safety to the prom- 
ised land, our own splendid land of America. They went 
forth on the face of the land and began to till the earth. 

Application: Why do we pray? (Bring out the 
thought that prayer should express gratitude as well as 
to ask for blessings ; also that prayer is a privilege as 
well as a duty.) 



LESSON 8. A FATHER'S SACRIFICE 

Text: Genesis 12:1-10; 18:1-16; 22. Pearl of Great 
Price, Abraham 1, 2. 

Reference: Kindergarten Bible Stories. — Laura Ella 
Cragin. 

Aim: Implicit obedience to God brings great bless- 
ings. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



45 



Memory Gem: "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy 
God and Him only shalt thou serve." 

I. Chaldeans (among whom Abraham lived). 

1. Forgot the Lord and worshiped idols. 

II. Abraham. 

1. Served the Lord. 

2. Protected by Him. 

3. Led to the promised land. 

III. Visit of the Angels. 

1. Entertained by Abraham. 

2. Their promise to him. 

IV. Birth of Isaac, the child of promise. 

V. The Offering. 

1. The test. 

2. Abraham's faith and obedience. 

3. The blessing. 

Point of Contact: The children's thoughts and emo- 
tions could be drawn to the aim of this lesson (trusting) 
by telling the following well-known incident: 

A boy was playing on a railroad track. He was so 
engrossed with his play. that he did not notice the ap- 
proaching train until it was nearly upon him. Then he 
was too frightened and bewildered to know what to do. 
His first impulse was to run, but it was too late in case 
he should trip. His father, at a distance, saw the situa- 
tion just in time to shout, "Lie down !" The son dropped 
instantly, the train passed over him, and he was unhurt. 

What would have happened if he had not trusted his 
father? What would have happened if he had stopped 
even long enough to doubt and question? 

Lesson Statement: I. Even though the Lord does 
bless His children so much, sometimes they forget Him 
and displease Him, because they listen to the wicked 
spirit. 



46 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



A long time after the people had built the great 
Tower of Babel and the Lord had scattered them in 
different lands, they again forgot Him. Not only did 
they forget Him, but they made other gods that they 
praised and worshiped. The people made these gods, or 
idols, out of wood, iron, gold, or other things. Some 
were very ugly. Perhaps they would cut down a tree 
and make it into some ugly image. Of course, these idols 
were only made by man, so they could not see, nor hear, 
nor feel, nor talk, nor think, nor move and yet these 
people listened to the wicked spirit so much that they 
would bow down and worship them. They did not pray 
to their Heavenly Father who could hear and answer 
their prayers, but they prayed to these idols that could 
not even see or hear them. 

II. There was one man who would not bow down 
and worship the idols, even though all the people around 
him did. He listened to the good spirit. This man's 
name was Abraham. He knew "Thou shalt worship the 
Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve." The 
Lord was pleased with Abraham and loved him. But 
because Abraham would not worship the idols, the people 
got angry at him and sought to take his life. 

One time these wicked people were ready to kill him. 
Abraham knew that the God he worshiped could hear 
and answer his prayers, so he prayed to our Heavenly 
Father to help him. Our Heavenly Father heard Abra- 
ham's prayer and sent an angel to cut the cords that 
bound him and set him free. 

The Lord did not want Abraham to live among this 
wicked people, so He told him He would lead him to 
another land, a promised land. 

Abraham was rich. He had gold and silver, many 
cattle and servants. He took these, his wife, and a few 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



47 



relatives and left that wicked land. He left his home and 
his people, so he could worship the Lord in the way he 
knew was right. He had a long journey. There were 
no trains and hotels then. He had to carry a great deal 
of food and live in tents. 

Abraham never forgot his Heavenly Father, and he 
built altars and offered sacrifices to Him. The Lord was 
with him and guided and instructed him. There was a 
famine, but the Lord told him where to go and what to do 
to get food and safety. 

At last Abraham and his company reached the land 
of Canaan — the promised land. It was a choice land — a 
land of rivers and flowers, of fruit and sunshine. The 
Lord told him to go out and look to the north, to the east, 
to the south, and to the west, and all the land he could 
see should be his. The Lord also told him that he should 
have many relatives and that all good people should love 
him and call him "Father of the Faithful." 

III. After Abraham and his wife had lived in this 
promised land for many, many years, until they were 
almost one hundred years old, a most wonderful thing 
happened to them. 

One day as Abraham sat resting in the door of his 
tent, which was situated in a beautiful grove in the plains 
of Mamre, he looked up and saw three strange men com- 
ing toward him. He quickly arose and went out to meet 
them. 

As he came up to them he saw, to his surprise and 
joy, that they were angels of God. His heart beat fast. 
Why had they come? .What important message had 
they brought him? Abraham bowed down before his 
heavenly visitors and welcomed them to his humble 
abode. He invited them to sit down in the shade of a 
tree while he washed their feet and while his wife, Sarah, 
prepared them something to eat. 



48 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



After having refreshed themselves with bread and 
butter, milk and meat, the angels said to Abraham: 
"Abraham, we have been sent by the Lord to tell you 
that your wife Sarah is going to become the mother of 
a baby boy." 

Abraham was so astonished at hearing the news that 
he could not speak for some time. He just stood looking 
at the angel who had told him the glad tidings. He, how- 
ever, believed all the angel said. On hearing the heav- 
enly messenger tell her husband that she would be the 
mother of a baby boy, Sarah, who was inside the tent, 
laughed aloud. She could hardly believe that such a 
thing could come to pass, seeing that she was so old. 

The angel heard Sarah laugh. He went to the door 
of the tent and said in a solemn voice, "Sarah, why did 
you laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord?" 

Sarah felt ashamed at having doubted the truth of 
the angel's message. 

IV. Days and weeks and months passed by. At last 
the time came that was spoken of by the angel, and to 
the great delight of Abraham and Sarah, a dear, sweet 
baby boy was born to them. 

When the babe was eight days old, he was blest by his 
father and given the name of Isaac. The little one was the 
joy and delight of his parents. He had come to them as a 
special blessing from the Lord ; they would take the greatest 
care of him, and teach him to become a wise and good man. 

Isaac grew and became a fine, bright boy. He used 
to go out in the fields with his father and watch the 
sheep and cattle feed on the fresh grass, and the little 
lambs play in the warm sun. When returning, he would 
gather armfuls of sticks for his mother's fires. 

V. And now I am going to tell you of a great trial that 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



49 



one day came to Isaac's father. The Lord said to Abra- 
ham, "Abraham, I want you to take your boy Isaac up 
to the top of a mount and there offer him up as a sacri- 
fice to me." 

I cannot tell you how sad the good man felt when 
he heard these words. A terrible pain pierced his heart, 
and the tears began to run down his aged cheeks. What 
did he do? He simply bowed his head and said, "The 
Lord's will be done." 

At the appointed time Abraham took Isaac and two 
other young men and set out for the place where the 
sacrifice was to be made. Abraham had not told his son 
what the Lord had commanded him to do. 

When they came to the foot of the mount, Abraham 
told the young men to remain there while he and Isaac 
went up to the top to worship the Lord. 

As ithey were going up, Isaac said to his father : "Behold 
the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt 
offering?" But Abraham could not tell his son even at that 
time. He placed his hand upon his head, and looking down 
into his sweet, innocent face; said : "My son, God will provide 
Himself a lamb for a burnt offering." 

At last the top of the mount was reached. Abraham 
built an altar of stones and placed fire and wood upon 
it. The dreaded moment had arrived. The father 
drew his darling boy to him and with trembling lips told 
him that he was to be the sacrifice. The brave little 
fellow uttered not a word against the command of the 
Lord. He felt that God knew best. So he suffered his 
father to bind him and place him upon the altar. 

Abraham raised his knife, and was just in the act of 
slaying his son, when the angel of the Lord called to 
him out of heaven, saying: "Abraham, lay not thine 

4 



Trial of Abraham's Faith Dore 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



51 



hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him ; 
for now I know that thou fearest God seeing thou hast 
not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." 

Abraham looked around and saw in a thicket close 
by a ram caught by the horns, so he went and got the 
ram and offered up the animal in the place of his son 
Isaac. 

"And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out 
of heaven the second time, and said : "In thy seed shall all 
the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast 
obeyed my voice." 

Abraham and Isaac returned to their tent rejoicing 
and told Sarah all that had taken place. She joined her 
husband in praising the Lord for sparing the life of 
his son. 

Application: Why did the Lord so bless Abraham? 
(Because he worshiped and served Him.) What thing 
that Abraham knew should we and all the world remem- 
ber? ("Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him 
only shalt thou serve.") What pleasure have you given 
up that you might do something you knew would be 
pleasing to the Lord? Wnat have you been tempted to 
do on the Sabbath which you knew would not please 
Him? Why wouldn't it? 



LESSON 9. A MOTHER'S PRAYER 
Text: Genesis 16, 21. 

Aim: Prayer and submission to the will of the Lord 
bring comfort and protection. 

Memory Gem: "Fear not; for God hath heard the 
voice of the lad where he is." 
I. Hagar. 

1. Sarah's handmaid. 

2. Subsequently Abraham's wife. 



52 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



3. Her unhappiness. 

4. Receives comfort from the Lord. 

II. Ishmael's Birth and Boyhood. 

1. A promised son. 

2. For fourteen years the only son. 

3. His conduct towards Sarah. 

4. Result. 

III. In the Wilderness. 

1. Journey towards Egypt. 

2. Lost. 

3. Saved by the Lord. 

Point of Contact: Johnny was riding on his pony 
through the woods and became lost. It began to grow 
dark and he began to cry, but that did no good. Bow- 
ing his head on the pony's neck, he prayed to our 
Heavenly Father to help him. Then he remembered at 
once that his father told him if he was ever lost to loose 
the reins and let the pony take his own way. Soon they 
were out of the woods and on the way home. 

Lesson Statement: I. Because Abraham was such a 
faithful and obedient man, God protected him and his 
family. Last Sunday we heard of a wonderful blessing 
that He gave to Abraham and his wife Sarah, and today 
we are going to hear of another remarkable thing He 
did for Abraham's other wife and her son. 

Abraham had two wives. His first wife was named 
Sarah, the woman you heard about in the lesson last 
Sunday. His second wife was an Egyptian woman 
named Hagar. 

This is how Abraham came to take Hagar to be his 
wife : Hagar was Sarah's maid. She had lived with 
Abraham and Sarah for a number of years. They liked 
her very much, for she had performed all her duties 
faithfully. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



53 



Abraham and Sarah were growing old. They had 
no children — that was many years before Isaac was born. 

One evening as Abraham and Sarah sat together, 
Sarah said to her husband : "Abraham, I am very sorry 
that we haven't any children. I wish we had, if it were 
only one. I have thought seriously over this matter 
lately, and do you know what I have decided to do?" 
Abraham answered that he did not. 

"Well," said Sarah, "I am going to give you my maid, 
Hagar, to be your wife. Perhaps we shall be blessed 
with children by her." 

Abraham felt very happy when he heard what Sarah 
had decided to do, for he had often wished for children, 
too. So he took Hagar as his wife. 

Some time after Hagar had become Abraham's wife, 
she began to make fun of Sarah and to say unkind things 
to her. 

Sarah's feelings were so terribly hurt that she told 
Abraham that Hagar would have to go and live in some 
other place. 

Hagar started out to seek for a new home. After 
traveling for a long time she became tired and sat down 
to rest beside a fountain of water. She regretted having 
spoken unkindly to Sarah and felt sorry for the trouble 
she had brought into the home. 

She had sat looking into the water for some time, 
when, as she raised her eyes, to her great surprise there 
stood beside her an angel of the Lord. 

The angel asked her why she was in that place and 
where she was going. Hagar told the heavenly messen- 
ger what had happened. He comforted her by telling her 
that she would be blessed with a baby boy whose name 
should be Ishmael. He then told her to return to Sarah 
and Abraham and to ask their forgiveness. 



Abraham Sending Forth Hagar 

Adrian Van Der Werff 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



55 



Hagar did as the angel commanded her. She was 
freely forgiven by Abraham and Sarah, and for many 
years they lived happily together. 

II. The promise to Hagar was fulfilled, for a baby 
boy was born to her, whom they named Ishmael. When 
Ishmael was fourteen years of age, and soon after Isaac, 
Sarah's son, was born, trouble broke out again in Abra- 
ham's family. It was caused by Hagar's son making 
mock of Sarah. 

Sarah told Abraham of Ishmael's conduct and re- 
quested him to send Hagar and their son to their own 
people in Egypt. Abraham did not like to send Hagar 
away, but the Lord told him to do so. 

Abraham arose early the next morning and prepared 
food for Hagar and Ishmael on their journey, also a 
leathern bottle of cold, fresh water. When they were 
ready to start, Abraham bade them good-bye, and Hagar 
and her son set out for Egypt. 

III. They traveled for a long time. Then a serious 
thing happened — the mother and child got lost in the 
wilderness of Beer-sheba. 

To add to their misery, the water in the bottle was 
exhausted, and Hagar and Ishmael were almost perish- 
ing with thirst. It was a terrible trial to the poor mother 
to see her child suffering for a drink of water. 

Ishmael began to cry piteously, and then Hagar broke 
down and began to cry also. The boy became so ex- 
hausted that the mother thought his end had come, so 
she laid him down and went and sat down a distance off, 
that she might not see him die. 

Then a wonderful thing happened. 

The angel of the Lord called to Hagar out of heaven 
and said, "Fear not ; for God hath heard the voice of the 
lad where he is." Then he told her to go and lift the 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



57 



lad and hold him in her arms. She did so. Then, to her 
great surprise, she saw, a short distance away, a well of 
water. She carried her darling boy to the well and 
quenched his thirst, after which she took a drink herself 
and also filled the bottle. Then she lifted her voice in 
praise to God for saving the life of herself and child. 

The angel of the Lord told Hagar that God would 
bless Ishmael, and that He would make him a great 
nation, because he was a son of Abraham. All that the 
angel told Hagar has come to pass. 

Application: It is very seldom that God answers a 
prayer by sending a beautiful light, or an angel, or a 
voice to tell us what to do. Sometimes the thing we 
are praying for may be near us, but we cannot see it, 
so God answers our prayers by opening our eyes or 
guiding us so that we can find what we are seeking. 
Johnny knew what his father had told him to do if he 
got lost on horseback, but he didn't remember it till 
after he had prayed. We think that the well of water 
was near Hagar, but she didn't see it till God, in answer 
to her prayer, guided her sight in that direction. Do 
you know anyone who has 'had a prayer answered in this 
quiet, natural manner? 



LESSON 10. REBEKAH AT THE WELL 

Text : Genesis 24 ; 25 :20-34. 
Time: 1856 B.C. 
Place: Canaan and Mesopotamia. 
Aim: Trust in God brings happiness and success. 
Memory Gem: "Blessed be the Lord." 
I. Abraham's Desire for His Son. 

1. A wife from among his own people. 

2. Instructions to Eliezer. 

3. Preparation and departure of the servant. 



58 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



II. Evening at the Well. 

1. Description of the watering places. — Mode of carry- 
ing water. 

2. Eliezer's prayer ; the answer — Rebekah's ap- 

pearance. 

III. The Servant at Rebekah's Home. 

1. Hospitality extended. 

2. Errand made known. 

3. Rebekah's answer. 

IV. Return to Canaan. 

1. Meeting Isaac. 

2. The marriage. 

V. Birth of Esau and Jacob. 

Point of Contact: As the children are somewhat 
familiar with missionary life, the following experience 
might be told to introduce the thought of the Bible story 
in the lesson : 

Two Mormon elders who were doing missionary work 
in the Southern States had been planning for a week or 
more to leave the town in which they had been laboring 

and go to the town of R . They started out early 

one morning to make the trip on foot. They were eager 
to begin work in the new field. After traveling several 
hours they came to a place where another road crossed 
the one on which they were walking. 

To the surprise of his companion, Bro. M. stopped 

and said that he felt guided to take the new road. His 
companion argued with him, trying to persuade him to 
go with him and do the work they had been planning 

for so long. But it was of no avail. Bro. M. was 

determined, saying that he did not like to change his 
plans, but he knew that he was guided by the spirit of 
the Lord to go the other way. 

So the two men shook hands and parted, one going; 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



59 



to R , the other following the strange road, trusting 

to be guided to the place where he felt that he must be 
needed. As he came to each intersection of the roads, 
he would hesitate till he felt sure which way he was to 
go. He was finally led to what seemed to be a deserted 
house. It had once been a beautiful home, surrounded 
by handsome grounds. But there was no sign of life 
about it now. 

But Bro. M , feeling sure that this was the place 

to which he was sent, knocked at the door and, getting 
no response, entered. There he found a man lying on 
the floor sick. It was one of the missionaries who had 
been laboring in another town. 

When he saw Bro. M he cried eagerly : "I knew 

the Lord would answer my prayers by sending me help." 

He had been traveling from one town to another 
when he was taken so ill that he had been forced to go 
in this deserted house to lie down. He became so much 

worse that he was not able to get up again. Bro. M 

administered to him. He was soon healed, and the fol- 
lowing day they both started out to their labors again. 

Lesson Statement: I.' After Abraham had loved and 
served God for many, many years and was getting old, 
he wished to see his son Isaac married before he died. 
But he did not want him to take one of the daughters of 
Canaan for a wife, as they were heathen; and he desired 
his son to lead a God-fearing life, such as he had led. He 
determined to send his servant back to his own country, 
Mesopotamia, to get a wife for Isaac from his own kin- 
dred. Abraham had perfect faith that the Lord would 
guide him aright, so giving his servant camels, money, 
jewels, anjd ;men for companions, he sent him, on his 
journey. 

II. After many days traveling he came to the wall 



60 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



of the city and stopped on the outside by the well. The 
wells of this country were usually surrounded by a stone 
wall from which two or three steps led down to the 
water Here in this peaceful, quiet place, just at sunset, 
the women of the city used to come with their jugs on 
their heads to be filled from the well. Let us feel the 
beauty and peace of this scene as the servant knelt in 
prayer for guidance in doing Abraham's bidding. His 
supplication to the Lord was that He would make known 
unto him the maiden whom He desired to become Isaac's 
wife, by having her be the one who would offer him a 
drink and 'draw water for his camels. 

Before he had done speaking, the beautiful maiden 
Rebekah, with her pitcher upon her shoulder, came out 
of the gates of the city and drew near the well. She 
went down to the well and, stooping, filled her pitcher 
with water ; then raising it again to her shoulder, she 
came up the steps. The servant ran to meet her and 
said : "Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy 
pitcher." And she said, "Drink, my lord," and let down 
her pitcher upon her hand and gave him drink. And 
when she had done giving him drink, she said, "I will 
draw water for thy camels also." She emptied her 
pitcher into the trough, ran again unto the well to 
draw water, and drew for all his camels. In answer to 
his question, she told him of her parents, and the servant 
knew by what she said that the Lord had blessed his 
journey and brought him to Abraham's kindred. The 
man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord. He 
said: "Blessed be the Lord who led me to the house of 
my master's brethren." 

III. Rebekah then told him there was plenty of straw 
for the camels and room for the man to stay at her 
father's house. She ran ahead to announce his coming. 




Eliezer Meets Rebecca at the Well 



Dore 



62 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Her brother Laban met him and knew at once that he 
was blessed of the Lord. 

. The servant would not eat at their house until he 
had made known his errand, telling of Abraham's bless- 
ings at the hands of the Lord and his desire for a wife 
for his son Isaac. Then Laban and Bethuel said : "The 
thing proceedeth from the Lord; we cannot speak unto 
thee bad or good. Behold Rebekah is before thee ; take 
her, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the Lord 
hath spoken." The servant bowed himself before the 
Lord and worshiped Him. 

Rebekah's parents were loth to part with her so soon, 
but she herself was willing to obey the word of the Lord 
at once, trusting completely. So with her maidens and 
servants she departed at once for the land of Canaan. 

IV. As (they came near to where Abraham lived, Re- 
bekah lifted up her eyes and saw Isaac coming to meet 
her ; and when the servant told Isaac all things that had 
been done, he took her into his mother's tent and made 
her his wife, learning to love her dearly. 

They had been married a number of years, but no 
baby had come to bring joy to their house. That made 
Isaac and Rebecca feel very bad. They prayed often to 
the Lord about the matter. 

V. At last the Lord answered their prayer by sending 
them twin baby boys. The first baby that was born was 
called Esau. He was different from other babies. Almost 
all of his little body was covered with hair. His brother, 
who was born after, was given the name of Jacob. 

Application: Upon what errand did Abraham send 
his servant? 

How did he show his trust in God? 

Tell about Eliezer's meeting Rebekah. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 63 

What did the servant say when he found who Re- 
bekah was? 

How was Abraham's trust rewarded? 

What blessings came to Rebekah because of her 
trust ? 

How do we show that we trust in our Heavenly 
Father ? 



LESSON 11. A SACRED PROMISE 

Text: Genesis 28 to 33, inclusive. 

Aim: To pay tithing is a blessing and a duty and 
shows that we desire to serve God 

Memory Gem: "Of all that Thou shalt give me I 
will surely give one-tenth unto Thee." 

I. Jacob's Departure from Home. 

1. Reason. 

2. His trust in God. 

II. The Dream. 

1. The ladder. 

2. The Lord's promise. 

III. Jacob's Thanksgiving. 

1. Anoints the stones. 

2. Covenants to pay tithing. 
IV With His Mother's Kindred. 

1. Received with joy. 

2. Enters Laban's service. 

3. Blessings earned. 

V. Jacob's Return Home. — God's promises fulfilled. 

Point of Contact: Talk with the children about the 
joy that comes from giving. Illustrate with an incident 
or get a child to do so. Also develop the idea of a gift 
being much stronger as an expression of gratitude than 
the mere verbal thanking. 



64 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



This principle of giving could be applied to the giv- 
ing of tithing by the teacher bringing ten flowers into 
the class which she could give to one child to hold. Then 
ask the child, "If I should give you those ten beautiful 
flowers, would you be willing to give me one back 
again ?" 

Lesson Statement: I. One day Isaac took his son 
Jacob out for a walk. They sat down in the shade of a 
tree. Then the father said, "My son, I want to speak to 
you about a very important matter. You are now old 
enough to marry. I want you to get a good wife, a 
woman who believes in God and keeps His command- 
ments. I know where you can get such a wife." Jacob 
told his father that he would do -just as he desired him 
to do. That made Isaac feel very happy. 

He then told Jacob that he wanted him to go to the 
place where his mother's brother lived, and that there 
he would find a good, faithful wife. 

A few days later the young man set out for the home 
of his uncle. I do not know how far it was, but it was 
quite a long distance. Jacob traveled all day. When 
evening came he was still on the desert. He was tired, 
so he decided to camp for the night. He washed the dust 
from his face and his hands. Then he knelt down and 
offered up his evening prayer to God. 

II. When he had finished his supper, he selected for 
himself a place to sleep His bed was the hard ground, 
and a large stone was his pillow. But, notwithstanding 
those things, that was the most blessed night in all of 
Jacob's life. Listen while I tell you what happened ! 
During the night God gave to Jacob a glorious dream. 
The young man saw, in his dream, a ladder reaching from 
heaven to earth. On the ladder he saw angels. Some 
of them were going up to heaven, and some 01 them were 
coming down. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



o5 



As Jacob looked up to the top of the ladder, to his 
great delight he saw God. The Lord spoke to Jacob. 
He told him He was the God of his fathers, Abraham 
and Isaac, and that He would give to him all the land in 
that place. He told Jacob He would bless him with many 
children, and that they would spread about to the east 
and the west, the north and the south. The Lord also 
promised Jacob that He would be with him wherever he 
went and that He would bring him again to that land. 

III. When Jacob awoke he felt so happy that he shed 
tears of joy. Kneeling down upon the ground, he prayed 
with all his heart and soul unto God, thanking Him for 
the glorious dream He had given him and for the pre- 
cious promises He had made to him. 

• Then Jacob took the stone he had used for a pillow 
and made an altar of it. He poured oil upon the stone, 
and there he made a covenant with the Lord, saying, 
"Of all that Thou shalt give me, I will surely give the 
tenth unto Thee." 

That is the law of tithing all faithful Latter-day 
Saints observe today. 

IV. Let us see how our Heavenly Father blessed 
Jacob because of his faithfulness to this and other laws 
given by the Lord. 

Jacob continued his journey to the land where his 
uncle Laban lived. There he met his uncle and family 
who received him with joy. Laban wanted Jacob to 
assist him with his flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. 
Jacob did so and served Laban fourteen years, receiving 
for this service Laban's two daughters, Leah and Rachel, 
who became his wives. Later he took two other wives, 
the maids of Leah and Rachel, and served many years, 
receiving cattle and sheep for his pay. Although Laban 
changed Jacob's wages many times, yet because Jacob 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



67 



served the Lord, the Lord blessed him, and he had many 
sheep, cattle, camels, and servants. God also blessed him 
with children, of whom we will tell you some interesting 
things later. 

V. "And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the 
land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred ; and I will be 
with thee." So Jacob started on his return to his old 
home, where he would meet Esau, his brother, of whom 
he was afraid, and also his dear old father. His mother 
had died. He took his wives and his children, his maid- 
servants and his men-servants, his camels and his flocks 
of sheep and herds of cattle, but did not tell Laban who 
was away from his home at that time. 

When Laban learned that Jacob had gone, he was 
angry. Taking men with him, he followed Jacob for 
a week, intending to make him come back; but God 
warned Laban in a dream saying: "Take heed that thou 
speak not to Jacob either good or bad." Laban finally 
overtook Jacob and chided him for leaving without bid- 
ding him good-bye and without permitting him to kiss 
his daughters and his grandchildren, or letting him send 
them away "with mirth and with songs." But, although 
Laban was angry, he said that God had warned him not 
to hurt Jacob. We will remember that when God told 
Jacob to go He said "I will be with thee," which means 
that He would protect him from harm. So Laban kissed 
them good-bye and returned to his home. 

As Jacob went on his way, he again saw angels and 
knew that God was guarding him. Do you know that 
God guards us, too? His angels are around us, although 
we cannot see them, but they will guard us carefully if 
we do right. 

Jacob feared that his brother Esau might still be 
angry with him and want to harm him, so he sent mes- 
sengers to tell Esau that he was coming with all his 



68 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



family and his flocks and herds. When the messengers 
returned and told Jacob that Esau was coming to meet 
him, bringing with him four hundred men, Jacob's fears 
increased, and he prayed to the Lord to protect him by 
softening Esau's heart toward him. He then sent a great 
present to Esau — many goats, camels, and other animals. 

That night Jacob was left alone on one side of a 
brook, where again he saw a heavenly being whom he 
would not let go until he gave him a blessing, keeping 
him all the night. The angel blessed Jacob and gave him 
a new name, "Israel," which means having power with 
God and man and prevailing. 

When Jacob and Esau met, it was wlrh embraces and 
kisses, for the Lord had softened Esau's heart, and he 
was now glad to have his brother back again. Esau 
asked Jacob what was meant by the sending of the ani- 
mals ahead of him; and when Jacob told him they were a 
present for him, Esau said, "I have enough, my brother ; 
keep that thou hast unto thyself." But Jacob insisted and 
Esau accepted the present. 

Jacob continued his journey until he reached the 
old home. God had surely been with him and that to bless. 

Application: What did Jacob promise the Lord that 
he and his children would do? We are related to Jacob 
a long, long way back. Would you like to do what he 
promised the Lord he would do? What do we call this 
giving? If you should earn fifty cents, how much tithing 
would you pay? Where would you pay it? When you 
are old enough to earn ten dollars a week, how much 
tithing will you pay? 

How can we show our parents that we trust them? 

How can we show them that we feel that they know 
what is best for us? 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



69 



LESSON 12. TWO STRANGE DREAMS 
Text: Genesis 37. 

Aim: God protects those who love and trust Him. 
Memory Gem: "The eyes of the Lord are over the 
righteous." 

I. Joseph the Son of Jacob. 

1. Jacob's love for Joseph. 

2. The coat of many colors. 

3. Jealousy of his brothers. 

II. Joseph's Dreams. 

1. The sheaves in the field. 

2. The sun, moon, and stars. 

3. Effect on his brothers. 

III. Sold to the Ishmaelites. 

1. Taken to Egypt. 

2. His father's grief. 

Point of Contact: Many Sundays ago we had a les- 
son about two brothers. (Cain and Abel.) One loved 
his Heavenly Father and his father on earth. He tried 
to please and obey them. How would they feel toward 
him? The other brother thought more about himself 
and what he wanted to. do, and was jealous of his 
brother. What does that mean? Why was he jealous? 
What trouble came of it? 

Today we are going to hear a story about some more 
brothers who had similar troubles for almost the same 
reason. 

Lesson Statement : I. Jacob was a good man, and the 
Lord loved him and blessed him greatly. He gave him 
a number of children. Jacob was the father of twelve 
sons. I am going to tell you this morning about one of 
them. He was the son of Rachel, and his name was 
Joseph. 

Joseph was the best of all his father's sons. Jacob 



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loved him dearly. One day Joseph's father made him a 
present of a pretty little coat. It was not like the coats 
boys wear these days. Instead of being of one color it 
had many colors in it. 

When Joseph's brothers saw him dressed in his pretty 
coat, they became jealous of him. They were cross with 
him and treated him unkindly. 

II. One night as Joseph lay upon his bed, the Lord 
gave him a wonderful dream. He dreamed that he and 
his brothers were working in a field. They were binding 
sheaves of wheat. There were no reapers and binders 
in those days. In his dream Joseph saw his sheaf stand 
up straight. Then the sheaves which his brothers had 
bound bowed down before his sheaf. 

Joseph told his dream to his brothers. It made them 
very angry. They said to him in a scornful voice, "So 
you think some day you will preside over us?" Joseph 
did not answer them. 

Soon after that Joseph had another dream. He 
dreamed that the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed 
down before him. The next morning he told his dream 
to his father and brothers. Jacob was astonished. He said 
to Joseph, "Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren 
come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?" 
None of them knew at that time what the dreams meant. 
But they later learned. 

One day Jacob sent Joseph to see how his brothers 
were getting on. They were out on the desert tending 
their sheep. When they saw Joseph, they said, in mock- 
ing tone, "Behold the dreamer cometh!" Then they de- 
cided among themselves to kill Joseph. They were afraid 
his dreams would come true. 

But the Lord was watching over Joseph, and He 
saved him from death. How did He do it? He put it 
into the heart of Reuben, one of Joseph's brothers, to 



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plead with the rest of his brethren to spare Joseph's life. 
There was a deep pit near where they were camped. 
"Let us not shed our brother's blood," said Reuben, "but 
put him in yonder pit." 

III. They agreed to that. So they took Joseph's 
pretty coat off him and lowered him down into the pit. 
Had Joseph been left there he would have perished with 
hunger. But the Lord saved him. Soon after Joseph 
had been put in the pit, a number of merchants, riding 
upon camels, chanced to pass that way. They were go- 
ing down to Egypt. On seeing the merchants, Judah, 
another brother to Joseph, said, "Let us sell Joseph to 
these merchants." To that they all agreed. Joseph was 
brought up out of the pit and sold to the merchants, who 
took him to Egypt with them. 

Then the brothers killed a young goat, and tak- 
ing Joseph's pretty coat they dipped it in the blood. 
When they returned home, they showed the blood-stained 
coat to his father, telling him they had found it. Jacob 
burst into tears. "It is my son Joseph's coat," he cried. 
"Some wild beast has devoured him." 

But Joseph was not dead. He was safe in Egypt. 
The Lord had preserved Joseph's life, for He had a great 
work for him to do. 

Application: How did our Heavenly Father protect 
Joseph? 

Tell in what way He protects us if we trust Him and 
love and obey Him. Do you know anyone who has been 
protected by having his prayers for help answered? 



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LESSON 13. THE MAN WHO KNEW THE 
FUTURE 

Text :Genesis 39, 40, 41. 
Aim: The Lord gives great wisdom and power to 
those who seek Him and are faithful. 

Memory Gem: "If any of you lack wisdom let him 
ask of God * * * and it shall be given him." 

I. Joseph in Potiphar's Household. 

1. Potiphar buys Joseph from the Ishmaelites. 

2. Recognizes Joseph's wisdom at once. 

3. Is made overseer — result. 

4. Falsehood of Potiphar's wife. 

II. Joseph in Prison. 

1. Gains favor of keeper because the Lord was 

with him. 

2. Interprets dreams of butler and baker. 

III. King Pharaoh. 

1. His dreams. 

2. Sends for wise men. 

3. Butler remembers Joseph. 

IV. Joseph before Pharaoh. 

1. Interprets dreams. 

2. Advice to Pharaoh. 

3. Joseph is made governor. 

Point of Contact: How many of you children go to 
school? Why do you go? Who is there to help you 
learn your lessons? Why do you come to Sunday 
School? The Lord wants us to learn to read and write 
and also learn of Him, so we shall grow up to be 
very wise and good men and women. Would you like 
to learn how Joseph became very wise — wiser than any- 
body in Egypt? 



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Lesson Statement: I. When the merchants arrived 

in Egypt, they sold Joseph to an officer of the king, 
named Potiphar. "The Lord was with him and he was 
a prosperous man." Even though a mere boy when sep- 
arated from his people, he remembered his teachings and 
was faithful to the Lord. He lived among a people who 
worshiped idols, yet nothing influenced him in his wor- 
ship of the true God. His superior wisdom was gained 
through his faithfulness and reliance upon the Lord. 
Potiphar at once recognized that all things prospered 
under his hands, so he gave him charge of all that he had. 

One day Potiphar's wife told a wicked falsehood 
about Joseph. It made her husband very angry. He 
believed what his wife told him was true. So he gave 
orders for Joseph to be cast into prison. 

II. But the Lord knew that Joseph had not done 
wrong. He comforted Joseph by His Holy Spirit and 
softened the heart of the keeper of the prison so that 
he treated Joseph kindly. After a time Joseph was given 
charge of the prison and all the prisoners. Joseph was 
kind to the prisoners, and they liked him very much. 

There were two men in the prison who had been in 
the service of the king of Egypt. They were the king's 
chief butler and chief baker. One morning found them 
looking very sorrowful. He asked them why they looked 
so sad. They told him it was because of dreams that 
they had had. They could not find anyone who could 
interpret their dreams. 

Joseph told them that interpretations of dreams came 
from the Lord. He asked them to tell him their dreams. 
They did so. 

The chief butler told Joseph that in his dream he saw 
a vine with three branches of grapes upon it. He had a 



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75 



cup in his hand. He pressed the juice of the grapes into 
the cup and gave it to the king. 

The Lord gave Joseph the interpretation of the 
dream. He told the butler that in three days he would 
be taken out of prison and made again chief butler to 
the king. 

Then the chief baker related his dream, and Joseph 
gave him the true interpretation of it. 

At the end of three days the butler was released from 
prison and taken back to the king's service. 

III. Some time after that the king had two dreams. 
In his first dream he saw seven fat cattle come up out 
of the river and begin to feed in a meadow. Then he 
saw seven lean cattle come and kill and eat the fat ones. 
In his second dream he saw seven good, full ears of corn 
come up on one stalk. Then there sprang up seven poor, 
thin ears, and the thin ears ate up the seven good, 
full ears. 

The king called to him all his wise men, but none 
of them could interpret the dreams. Then the chief 
butler remembered Joseph.- He told the king about him, 
and the king gave orders for Joseph to be brought to him. 

IV. The king told Joseph the dreams, and the Lord 
gave Joseph the interpretation of them. He told the 
king that the seven fat cattle and the seven full ears of 
corn represented seven years of plenty, and that the 
seven lean cattle and the seven lean ears of corn repre- 
sented seven years of famine. How much wiser men are 
who have the Holy Spirit as their teachers than all 
others ! 

Joseph advised the king to appoint a wise man as 
governor over the land of Egypt and to give him author- 
ity to appoint officers to buy up all the wheat tHey could 




Joseph Interpreting Pharaoh's Dream 



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77 



get during the seven years of plenty, that the people 
might have bread during the seven years of famine. 

The king was pleased with Joseph's interpretation 
of his dream and with the suggestion he had made. To 
the surprise of all the people the king appointed Joseph 
governor over all the land of Egypt. There was no one 
in the land so great as Joseph except the king himself. 

Application: Why was Joseph given such power? 
Who gave him his great wisdom? Why did the Lord 
bless him with wisdom? Yes, he was faithful and relied 
upon the Lord. We read in the Bible : "If any of you 
lack wisdom let him ask of God * * * and it shall 
be given him." Who can help us to become wise? What 
must we do to be so blessed? 



LESSON 14. THE DREAMS FULFILLED 

Text: Genesis 42 ; 43 ; 44; 45 ; 46 ; 47 : 1-13. 
Aim: Forgiveness and mercy are attributes of a 
noble mind. 

Memory Gem: "Love your enemies, do good to them 
that hate you." 

I. Condition of Egypt. 

1. During seven years of plenty. 

2. During seven years of famine. 

3. Compare with other countries. 

II. Joseph's Brothers Come to Egypt. 

1. Recognized by Joseph. 

2. Imprisoned as spies. 

3. Joseph's request for Benjamin. 

4. Their remorse shown. 

5. Simeon held in prison. 

III. Jacob's Sons Return Home. 

1. Their sacks filled with corn 



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2. Their money returned. 

IV. Second Journey to Egypt. 

1. Benjamin accompanies them with presents. 

2. Their - obeisance to Joseph, — Fulfilment of 
dreams. 

3. The Feast. — Joseph's love and forgiveness. 

V. Joseph's Plan to Detain His Brothers. 

1. The silver cup. 

2. Judah's humble supplication. 

VI. Joseph Reveals Himself. 

1. He confronts his brothers. 

2. Testifies to God's providence. 

3. Sends for Jacob and his family. 

VII. Jacob Comes to Egypt. 

1. Meeting with Joseph. 

2. Second dream fulfilled. 

3. The king's kindness. 

4. A home in Egypt. 

Point of Contact: Have you ever seen a person be 
kind to some one who was unkind to him ? Tell us about 
it. It is easy to treat nice people kindly, but very hard 
to treat mean people kindly, yet Jesus said, "Love your 
enemies, do good to them that hate you." When Joseph 
was a little boy, who hated him and who were his ene- 
mies? What very cruel thing did they do to him? To-day 
we will learn how Joseph treated his enemies, and, I am 
sure, we shall love him more than ever. 

Lesson Statement: I. The dreams which Pharaoh 
had came true. For seven years the farms yielded very 
heavy crops. Joseph had many large granaries built and 
filled with corn. 

The next year the crops failed. The same thing hap- 
pened the six following years. All the corn the people 



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79 



had saved was used up. There was none to be found 
except in the granaries of Pharaoh in Egypt. 

Joseph's father and brothers began to suffer because 
of the famine. On hearing that there was corn for sale 
in Egypt, Jacob, Joseph's father, decided to send his ten 
sons down there to buy some. He would not let Benja- 
man go with them. He said he was afraid of losing him 
as he had lost Joseph. He did not know that Joseph was 
alive; neither did Joseph's brethren know that he whom 
they had sold to the merchants was at that time governor 
of Egypt. 

II. When Joseph's brothers appeared before him, he 
knew them, but they did not know him. He asked them 
why they had come ,to Egypt. They said for the pur- 
pose of buying corn. He made them believe that he 
looked upon them as spies. They declared they were 
not spies. They said they were the sons of a man named 
Jacob, who was living in the land of Canaan. They had 
a brother, Joseph, but they did not know what had be- 
come of him. There was a younger brother, named Ben- 
jamin, at home with their -father. 

Joseph pretended that he did not believe what they 
said. He charged them with being spies and ordered 
them to be put in prison. They were kept in prison 
three days. During that time they thought of their past 
lives. They remembered the shameful way in which 
they had treated Joseph and felt that God was punish- 
ing them for their unkindness to their brother. 

When they had been in prison three days, Joseph 
came to them. As he looked upon his brothers, pleading 
before him, his heart was touched, and he went into 
another room and wept. Then he returned and gave 
orders for one of their number — Simeon — to be bound. 
"In order to prove that you have told me the truth," 



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said Joseph to his brethren, "I will keep your brother 
Simeon here till you go back home and bring down your 
brother Benjamin." 

III. Joseph told one of his servants to fill their sacks 
with corn and to put the money which they had brought 
for the corn in each sack, also to provide them with food 
for the return journey. 

On the way back, Joseph's brothers stopped to re- 
fresh themselves and feed their animals. When they 
opened their sacks and found their money in them, they 
were greatly frightened. They thought the governor of 
Egypt would charge them with being dishonest. 

When they told their father what had happened to 
them, he wept bitterly. He declared that he would not 
let Benjamin go away from him. "My boy, Joseph," said 
he, "is gone, Simeon is not with me, and if I were to 
let Benjamin go I might never see him again." 

IV. But after a time, when their food was almost 
exhausted, Jacob agreed to let Benjamin go down with 
his brethren to Egypt. He also sent double the amount 
of money with them. 

When Joseph's brethren appeared before him the 
second time, he told his servants to take them into his 
own home. Then he gave orders for Simeon to be 
brought out of the prison. When Joseph stood before 
his eleven brothers, they all bowed down before him. 
At that moment he saw the fulfilment of his dream — in 
which he had seen his brothers' sheaves of corn bow 
down before his sheaf. He was so overcome that he 
had to retire to another room, where he gave vent to 
his feelings in tears. When he had recovered himself, 
he returned and instructed his servants to prepare a 
great feast for the strangers. From that time Joseph 
talked freely with his brethren and treated them with 



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81 



the greatest kindness, but he did not tell them he was 
their brother. He kept that piece of news for a later 
occasion. 

Joseph longed to see all the members of his father's 
household, so this is what he did in order to get them 
to come down to him in Egypt. The morning after the 
feast he told his servants to fill his brothers' sacks full 
of food and to put the money which they had brought in 
the sacks also. 

V. Joseph had a beautiful silver cup which he prized 
very highly. He told one of his servants to put the cup 
in Benjamin's sack. Benjamin was the youngest son, 
and Joseph's own brother, and he loved him dearly. 

After his brethren had started for home, Joseph sent 
one of his servants after them, to charge them with hav- 
ing stolen his silver cup. When the servant stopped 
them and told them why he had come after them, they 
stared at him in astonishment. They declared that such 
had not entered their heads. So sure were they of their 
innocence that they told the servant he could search their 
sacks, and if he found the cup, the one in whose sack 
it was found should be put to death, and the others would 
return and become servants to the governor. 

Each man took down his sack and opened it. One by 
one the sacks were searched. At last the servant came 
to Benjamin's sack, and there, to the surprise of all, the 
cup was found. 

In anguish of soul they remounted their camels and 
returned with the servant to the home of the governor. 
Joseph pretended to be very angry and charged them 
with stealing his silver cup. They all fell down before 
him and offered to become his servants. 

But Joseph said, "God forbid that I should do so; 
but the man in whose hand the cup is found shall be 

6 



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my servant; and the rest of you may go in peace unto 
your father." 

Then Judah began to plead with Joseph. He said, 
"O my lord, let thy servant speak. Our father is an 
old man, and Benjamin, this lad, is the child of his old 
age. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his 
mother, and his father loves him. When we return to 
thy servant, our father, and the lad be not with us, it 
shall come to pass that he will die, and thy servants shall 
bring down the gray hairs of our father to the grave. 
Therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of 
the lad, a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up 
with his brethren." 

VI. As Joseph listened to the pleading of his breth- 
ren, and as he heard them tell of his dear old father, 
he could not disguise himself longer. He burst into 
tears and exclaimed, "I am Joseph, your brother, whom 
you sold to the merchants. I freely forgive you for all 
your unkindness to me, for God did send me before you, 
to preserve life, and He has brought good out of evil. 
Return and tell my father that I am still alive, and that 
I want him and all his household to come to me. Now 
the famine will last five years more, but none of you 
shall want, for I have plenty, and you can all come and 
live here and we will be happy together." Then Joseph 
kissed each of his brothers, and they all rejoiced together. 

Pharaoh, the king, was pleased when he heard of the 
visit of Joseph's brethren. He told them he would be 
pleased to have them bring their father and their fam- 
ilies, and take up their abode in his country. He said 
they could pick out the choicest part of the land and 
that they could have all the food they needed and many 
other good things. The king offered them the use of his 
wagons in which to bring down their families and their 
household effects. 



Joseph Making Himself Known to His Brethren 

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84 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



With joyful hearts and with many valuable presents, 
they returned to tell their father the glad tidings. When 
Jacob heard that his son Joseph was alive and that he 
was governor of Egypt, he shed tears of joy and gave 
thanks and praise to God. 

VII. Jacob and his sons, with their wives and chil- 
dren and all that they had, set out for Egypt. There 
were about seventy souls in all. It was a long journey, 
and they would have to camp many nights under the 
stars before Jacob could behold the face of his beloved 
son Joseph again. 

While they were still in the land of Canaan, the land, 
you know, to which Abraham had been led so long be- 
fore, our Heavenly Father appeared to Jacob in a dream 
and gave to him a promise. The Lord said to Jacob, 
"Fear not to go down into Egypt, for I there will make 
of thee a great nation. I will go down with thee into 
Egypt and I will surely bring thee up again." So Jacob 
continued his journey with a heart filled with rejoic- 
ing. On hearing that his father and his brethren were, 
coming, Joseph got into his chariot and went out to 
meet them. "O my father ! My father !" he exclaimed, 
as he came up to his aged parent, and the father cried, 
"Joseph, my son, my son !" 

They locked themselves in each other's arms and 
wept for joy. Then they all bowed down before Joseph, 
and thus was his second dream fulfilled. 

Joseph's father and brothers received a royal wel- 
come from Pharaoh and were soon living in happy homes 
in Egypt. 

Application: How did Joseph treat them when he 
had a chance to "get even"? What did he do that Jesus 
wants all of us to do? ("Love your enemies, do good 
to them that hate you.") If we remember Joseph, how 
will we treat those who are unkind to us? If someone 



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85 



should speak crossly to you, how could you answer him? 
If a playmate should strike you, what could you do? If 
he should do anything that was mean how could you 
treat him? Which, then, would be the best and bravest? 
How do you think the naughty playmate would feel? 



LESSON 15. A CRADLE IN A RIVER 

Text: Exodus 1; 2:1-10. 

Aim: God protects and blesses His children when 
they have faith in Him. 

Memory Gem: "Look up, nor fear, for God is near 
and providence is over all." 

I. Condition of Israel in Egypt. 

1. Bondage under new king and why. 

2. Feared by Pharaoh — His decree. 

II. The Baby Moses. 

1. The family— joy and fear. 

2. Hidden in home for three months. 

3. The ark. 

a. How made and where placed. 

b. Watched by Miriam. 

4. The princess. 

a. Finds the ark. 

b. Loves the babe and wants him for her own. 

5. The nurse. 

a. Miriam's wit. 

b. Who the nurse was — her joy and thanks- 

giving. 

III. The Childhood of Moses. 

1. Mother's care and teaching. 

2. Advantages of the palace. 

Point of Contact: How many of you have little 
babies in your home? Who sent them to us from 
heaven? Oh, we all love little babies. We would not 



86 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



part with them for all the money in the world. How 
sorry we all are if baby is sick or even if he cries ever 
so little! Who cares for your- baby? What does mamma 
do for baby? Someone else loves baby — someone we 
cannot see, but who sees it. Who is it? Heavenly 
Father loves babies and will keep on loving them when 
they are grown, just as He loves us. Every night our mam- 
mas kneel down and ask Heavenly Father to help take 
care of their dear children, and He hears their prayers and 
blesses and protects them. 

Lesson Statement: I. Once there was a little baby 
who was in very great danger caused by a wicked kirg. 

When Jacob and his family came to live in Eg\pt 
there were less than one hundred of them; but, as the 
years passed, they increased until they became very 
numerous. Joseph lived to be a very old man ; and, when 
he died, he reminded the people of the promise our 
Heavenly Father had made to bring them out of the land 
of Egypt and lead them back to Canaan. Joseph said 
unto his brethren, "God will surely visit you and bring 
you out of this land unto the land which He swore to 
Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob." This promise made 
to Jacob so long before was a great comfort to them. 

After Joseph's death a new king became ruler in 
Egypt. He was called Pharaoh also. By this time the 
few people who came with Jacob, or Israel, to Egypt had 
"multiplied and waxed exceedingly mighty ; and the land 
was filled with them." They were called the children of 
Israel, because they were the children of Jacob who was 
also called Israel. The new king said, "The children 
of Israel are more and mightier than we ;" and he was 
afraid that if a war were to arise, this people would join 
the enemy of the Egyptians and fight against them. So 
this king and the people of Egypt made slaves of the 



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87 



people of Israel, and they had to work very hard and 
were treated cruelly by those placed over them. But our 
Heavenly Father had promised Jacob that his children 
should become a great nation and the more the Egyp- 
tians "afflicted them the more they multiplied and grew," 
for our Heavenly Father was watching over His people, 
and He blessed them through all their sorrows. 

When King Pharaoh saw that the people were becom- 
ing greater each year, he sent out a decree that all the 
baby boys born to the Israelites should be put to death ; 
but the nurses saved the lives of many baby boys, and 
God blessed them for so doing. 

II. There was a baby born at that time who became 
one of the greatest men the world has ever known. For 
three months after his birth his parents kept him hid, 
lest the wicked king might hear of him and have him 
put to death. 

When they saw it was impossible for them to keep 
his birth a secret longer, they sat down to think out a 
plan by which they might be able to save the baby's life. 
I am sure they prayed to God to help them. 

Not far from the home of these good people there 
flowed a very large river. It was called the Nile. Almost 
every day the daughter of King Pharaoh came down to 
the river to bathe. The baby's parents had often seen 
her go down to the river. They thought that perhaps 
they could get her to save the baby's life. 

The baby's mother went down to the banks of the 
river and gathered a bundle of bulrushes. Out of these 
she made a little ark, or boat, which she plastered with 
pitch to keep out the water. When the ark was finished, 
the baby was tucked snugly in it. The mother, accom- 
panied by her little daughter Miriam, went down to the 
river and placed the ark in a small pool. 



Moses in the Ark Paul Delaroch 



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89 



What sublime faith this mother, Jochebed, must 
have had in our Heavenly Father! All those powerful 
influences against her, and yet with the Lord's aid she 
was able to outwit them ! She must have had a prayer in 
her heart continually for guidance while making the ark 
and while ft was on the river. She had implicit trust in 
our Heavenly Father to protect her babe, not only from 
those who would take his life but also from the dangers 
of the river, winds, sun, crocodiles, etc. 

Miriam was told to hide in the bushes and keep watch 
over her baby brother. The mother placed a kiss on the 
cheek of her sleeping babe and went back to her home. 

Miriam sat in the bushes, her eyes fixed on the little 
boat in which her baby brother was sleeping peacefully. 
In a little while she heard footsteps, and on looking up 
she beheld the king's daughter and her maids coming to 
the river for their morning bath. 

As they drew near her heart began to beat fast. "I 
wonder if they will see the ark," she asked herself. The 
words had barely escaped her lips when Pharaoh's 
daughter exclaimed, "Oh, look at the little boat! Go," 
she said to her maid, "and bring it to me !" 

The ark was brought; and when the little covering 
was lifted a sweet babe opened its eyes and began to cry. 

That cry was heard in heaven. It sank down into 
the heart of the princess and made her love him and want 
to keep him instead of harm him. "You dear little baby," 
said she, "you shall be my own child." 

Just then the baby's sister came out of the bushes. 
She approached the ladies and bowed politely before 
them. The king's daughter said to her, "Do you know, 
little girl where I could get a good, kind woman who 
could nurse and take care of this baby for me?" 

"I am sure my mamma would be pleased to do so," 



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said Miriam, "and, if you so desire, I will go and get 
her for you." 

The king's daughter told Miriam to go and bring her 
mother. When the good woman arrived, the king's 
daughter said to her, "Here is a baby boy we found on 
the banks of the river. I am going to adopt him as my 
own child. If you will take him home and raise him for 
me, I will pay you well for your services." 

The woman said she would gladly do so. The king's 
daughter kissed the babe and placed it in the arms of 
its mother, who bore it home rejoicing. 

Jochebed's faith was surely rewarded when the prin- 
cess asked her to nurse him and care for him until he 
could come to the palace. She certainly rejoiced and 
thanked the Lord for His goodness. Now she could 
teach her babe all about the true God, could tell him 
about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. At night she 
taught him to kneel down and pray to the Heavenly 
Father who had cared for him. 

III. The child grew rapidly. Pharaoh's daughter 
came to see him often and brought him many presents. 
He was given the name of Moses, because he was taken 
out of the water. 

When he was grown "she brought him unto Phar- 
aoh's daughter, and he became her son." 

The palace was very large and beautiful, and Moses 
had many servants to wait upon him. He rode in a 
beautiful chariot, and people bowed to him as they did 
to the princess. He sailed with her in a wonderful 
g jlden boat while lovely music was played upon harps, 
flutes, or guitars. The princess wanted him to be wise 
and brave, so learned men taught him to read and write, 
taught him of the sun, moon, and stars, perhaps to play 
on the harp and build wonderful houses. He never for- 



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91 



got, however, the true God and all the beautiful stories 
his mother had told him ; and when all in the palace were 
worshiping idols, he always prayed to his Heavenly 
Father who had protected him. 

Application: Why did Jochebed put the little boat 
on the river? In whom was she trusting? That trust 
we call faith. How was her faith rewarded? Let us 
learn to "Look up, nor fear, for God is near and provi- 
dence is over all." What are some dangers that we 
might some day be in? What could we do if we were 
in danger? 



LESSON 16. A MIGHTY LEADER 

Text: Exodus 3; 4. 

Aim: When we put forth our best efforts to serve 
God, He will help us to succeed. 

Memory Gem: "I will be with you, and teach you 
what ye shall do." 

I. The Voice of the Lord in Midian. 

1. The burning bush. 

2. Called to deliver Israel. 

3. The rod. 

4. The call of Aaron. 

II. Moses Returns to Goshen. 

III. Elders Accept Moses and Aaron. 

Point of Contact: What is the hardest thing you 
have ever done? Perhaps you just tried and tried to do 
it. Did you succeed? Did you need any help? How did 
you feel? Baby Moses, when he grew up, had something 
very hard to do. 

Lesson Statement: I. When Moses had grown to be 
a young man, he left the palace of King Pharaoh and 
went to live in the land of Midian. There was a priest 
in Midian by the name of Jethro. He had a number of 



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beautiful daughters. One of them was named Zipporah. 
Moses fell in love with her, and in the course of time, 
married her. 

I am now going to tell you of a wonderful thing that 
happened to Moses. He had been out for a number of 
days on the desert, tending the sheep of his father-in- 
law. One day he was camped at the foot of a mountain 
called Mount Horeb. 

As he looked round he saw a strange sight, the like 
of which he had never seen before. A short distance 
from him was a bush, which seemed as if it had caught 
fire. Moses arose and went toward the burning bush. 
You can imagine how surprised he was when he got 
near it to see that it was not burning-. 

As he stood gazing at the strange sight, a voice spoke 
to him seemingly from out of the midst of the bush. It 
was the voice of the Lord. That which Moses thought 
was fire was the glory of the Lord. The Lord said to 
Moses, "Moses, put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for 
the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. " Yes, 
that place was holy, because the Lord was there. It is 
the same with our. meeting houses. They are holy places 
where we meet to worship God, and we should have the 
greatest respect for them. 

Now, what do you think the Lord wanted Moses to 
do? He wanted him to go back to Egypt and deliver 
the Hebrew people from the cruel bondage of the Egyp- 
tians. You were told in the last lesson how the wicked 
king of Egypt had ordered that all the baby boys born 
to the Hebrews should be put to death. That was only 
one of his cruel acts.. The Hebrews were afflicted by the 
Egyptians in many other ways. 

When Moses heard of the great mission which the 
Lord wanted him to perform, he began to feel very nerv- 



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ous and weak. He could not see how he could perform 
such a great work. He did not seem to realize that the 
Lord was going to help him. With the Lord helping 
him, he might have known that he could have done 
anything. 

But when he was told to go and gather the elders of 
Israel together and say unto them that the God of their 
fathers had seen their afflictions and would bring them 
out of Egypt unto a land flowing with milk and honey, 
he answered and said, "But behold, they will not believe 
me, nor hearken unto my voice ; for they will say, the 
Lord hath not appeared unto thee." 

"And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine 
hand? And he said 'a rod.' And- He said cast it on the 
ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became 
a serpent ; and Moses fled from before it. The Lord said 
unto Moses, Tut forth thine hand and take it by the tail.' 
And he put forth his hand and he caught it, and it be- 
came a rod in his hand." Moses was told to perform this 
miracle before the children of Israel, that they might be- 
lieve that the Lord had appeared unto him and had called 
him to be the leader of Israel. 

Moses still complained that he was slow of speech 
and that, perhaps, the Egyptians would not listen to him. 
The Lord said He knew that Moses was not a great 
preacher. He had, therefore, selected Aaron, Moses' 
elder brother, to go with him and to speak for him. He 
said to Moses, "I will go with you, and I will teach you 
what ye shall do." 

II. Moses went to Jethro, his father-in-law, and said 
unto him, "Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my 
brethren which are in Egypt. And Jethro said to Moses, 
'Go in peace.' And Moses took his wife and his sons 
and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land 
of Egypt; and Moses took the rod of God in his hand." 



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95 



III. Aaron came to meet Moses ; and when he had 
been told all the works of the Lord, they went to Egypt 
and gathered together the elders of Israel; "and Aaron 
spake all the words which the Lord had spoken unto 
Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. And 
the people believed," and "they bowed their heads and 
worshiped." 

Application: Young men are sent out as mission- 
aries by our Church today, and they have great missions 
to perform. They succeed if they put forth their best 
efforts. What tasks do you have to do in day school? 
In Sunday School? At home? In order that you might 
perform them well what could you do? 



LESSON 17. A KING'S POWER OVERTHROWN 

Text: Exodus 5:1-4; 7:14-25; 8:1-15; 12 and 14. 

Aim: The power of the Lord is manifest in behalf 
of His people when they strive to serve Him. 

Memory Gem: "I will sing unto the Lord, for He 
hath triumphed gloriously." 

I. Moses and Aaron See Pharaoh. 

1. Deliver God's message. 

2. Pharaoh's hardness of heart. 

3. God's promise to make Pharaoh obey Him. 

II. The Plagues. 

1. The river changed. 

a. The same river Moses was placed in as a babe. 

b. Turned to blood for seven days — effect. 

2. Frogs. 

a. Everywhere. 

b. Pharaoh's promise and deceit. 

III. The Tenth Plague. 

IV. The Passover. 

1. The Lord's instructions to Israel. 



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2. Purpose. 

3. Commanded to keep that day in remembrance. 

4. Wail of Egyptians from palace to hut. 

V. The Lord's Guide to Israel. 

1. Pharaoh tells people to go — afraid of the Lord. 

2. Departure — A pillar of cloud by day and fire by 

night. 

VI. Crossing the Red Sea. 

1. Pharaoh repents of his promise. 

2. Israel's predicament. 

3. God makes Egypt see "I am the Lord." 

4. Pharaoh and army destroyed. 

5. Song of praise and thanksgiving. 

Point of Contact: How do you think you would feel 
if you had to go to the palace of a king and tell him 
to do something you knew he would not want to do? 

Lesson Statement: I. Moses and Aaron went to the 
palace of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and requested him 
to let the children of Israel go into the wilderness to 
hold a feast and worship the Lord their God. Pharaoh 
became very angry. He said he did not believe in God 
and that he would not let the children of Israel go. 

Moses and Aaron told the Lord what Pharaoh had 
said. Then the Lord told them to go back and perform 
some miracles before Pharaoh in order to show him that 
they had been sent of God. They did so, but Pharaoh 
would not believe. So the Lord decided to punish the 
proud king for his unbelief and hardness of heart. 

II. The Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to go to 
the bank of the river where they would meet Pharaoh 
and to ask him again to let the children of Israel go, 
and to tell him that if he refused the river should be 
turned red like blood. But Pharaoh refused again, and 
in obedience to the command Aaron stretched forth the 




Pharaoh Urging Moses to Leave Egypt Dore 



1 



98 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



rod over the river the water of which became like blood so 
no one could drink it. Its fish all died. Pharaoh still 
refused to let the people go. 

Seven days after this Moses and Aaron were told 
to go again to the king to ask him to set the people free. 
When he refused again, Aaron stretched his rod over 
the rivers and ponds, and frogs came out of the water 
and filled the whole land. They hopped into the houses 
and palaces and made the people very unhappy. Then 
Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, "Entreat 
the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me, and 
from my people ; and I will let the people go." The Lord 
heard the entreaty of Moses, and all the frogs died. But 
although the power of God was shown in this wonderful 
way, Pharaoh still refused to take warning: and, as soon 
as the frogs were gone, he said the people could not go. 

Nine of these fearful plagues were sent upon the 
Egyptians and each time Pharaoh promised to release 
Israel, but when the plague was removed. he refused to 
keep his promise. The Lord performed these things that 
the unbelieving Egyptians might come to acknowledge 
God and that the faith of the Israelites might be in- 
creased. 

The Egyptians worshiped the sun, the moon, the stars 
and animals. They did not know about the Lord. All the 
plagues were direct attacks upon their gods. The Nile 
which was worshiped as a g~od was turned to blood by 
Israel's great and true God. Frog's were worshiped as 
sacred animals. 

III. Notwithstanding all these terrible things which 
had come upon Pharaoh and his people, he would not 
let the children of Israel go with Moses and Aaron. The 
Lord saw that the only way in which He could deliver 
His people Israel was by letting death enter the homes 
of the Egyptians. He told Moses and Aaron that on a 



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99 



certain night a destroying angel would go through the 
land of Egypt and slay the eldest child in the families 
of the Egyptians. 

IV. You may want to know how the angel would be 
able to tell an Egyptian home from a Hebrew dwelling. 
By this means : The Lord told Moses and Aaron to tell 
each family of the children of Israel to kill a lamb and 
to sprinkle their door frames with its blood. When the 
destroying angel saw the blood on the door posts, he 
would know that it was an Israelitish home and would 
pass it by. 

The children of Israel were commanded to keep this 
day a feast to the Lord, throughout their generations. 
It was called the feast of the Passover because the de- 
stroying angel passed over the children of Israel in Egypt 
and did not slay them. 

What an awful scene there was in Egypt the morn- 
ing after the angel had passed through the land. The 
king's eldest child was dead, and so was the eldest child 
in every other Egyptian family. Weeping and mourn- 
ing, the afflicted but humbled people went to the king 
and pleaded with him to let the children of Israel go. 
They were afraid that even worse would come to them. 

V. Pharaoh yielded. He gave orders for the children 
of Israel to be set free. With joyful hearts the people 
of the Lord left Egypt to follow their faithful leaders 
to a place of safety appointed by God. "And the Lord 
went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead 
them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give 
them light ; to go by day and night." 

VI. They had not gone far, however, when Pharaoh 
regretted having released them. He ordered his army 
to be got ready to pursue the Israelites and bring them 
back. When the children of Israel saw Pharaoh's army 
coming after them, they began to tremble with fright. 



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They believed they would be killed or taken back to 
bondage, as Pharaoh's well-trained army gained upon 
them. 

They were at the shore of the Red Sea. Moses called 
out to them, 'Tear not. Stand still and see the salvation 
of the Lord." "And the angel of God, which went be- 
fore the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them ; 
and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, 
and stood behind them." It became a cloud of darkness 
to the Egyptians, yet gave light to the Israelites. Then 
Moses stretched forth his rod over the sea ; the waters 
divided, and the children of Israel crossed over on dry 
ground. Pharaoh and his army hurried after them. 
When they were in the sea, Moses stretched forth his 
rod again, the water came back, and Pharaoh and his 
host were destroyed. Thus the Lord delivered His 
people and punished those who had so cruelly treated 
them. 

Israel saw the great work of the Lord, and they be- 
lieved Him and feared Him and sang songs of praise, 
rejoicing, and thanksgiving. They said, "I will sing unto 
the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously." 

Application : Which side is stronger : A great mam' 
armed soldiers who are wicked or only a few people who 
serve the Lord? Why are the good people the stronger? 
On whose side are the good people? On whose side are 
the evil people? On which side do you always wish to 
be? If you serve Him, when danger comes, what do you 
think the Lord will do? 



LESSON 18. A NATION ON THE MOVE 



Text: Exodus 16. 

Aim: In order to keep the Lord's commands we 
must honor the Sabbath day. 



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101 



Memory Gem: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep 
it holy." 

I. The Murmurings of the People. 

1. Their hardships in the wilderness. 

2. Their hunger. 

II. The Lord's Promise to Moses. 

1. Moses seeks the Lord in prayer. 

2. Daily rations. 

3. Provision for the Sabbath. 

III. The Promise Fulfilled. 

1. Quail. 

2. Manna. 

3. Results of disobedience to instructions. 

4. Results of obedience to instructions. 

Point of Contact: What are some of the things we 
do from Monday morning to Saturday night? What are 
some of the places to which we go? What day of the 
week have we left out? How does Sunday differ from 
these other days? We will learn how Sunday differed 
to the Israelites. 

Lesson Statement: I. They suffered great hardships 
in the wilderness — sand, rocks, the burning sun, camp- 
ing, lack of all home comforts, etc. They did not have 
much patience in their trials but each time anything 
troublesome or difficult came up, they cried out to Moses 
and lamented that he had led them away. 

This was not right and displeased the Lord for what- 
ever their trouble was, He always came to their assist- 
ance. 

Their sufferings because of thirst might be related — 
mothers carrying their babes, almost worn out from heat 
and thirst, and the babies crying for a drink. They found 
some springs. How good the water looked ; but when 
they tasted it, it was too bitter to drink! God showed 



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His mercy and power by telling Moses to throw a cer- 
tain tree into the. spring, and the water became sweet. 
At another time Moses was told to strike a large rock 
with his rod, and water gushed forth. 

Not only were the Israelites thirsty, but also hungry, 
for their supplies had been eaten. 

In the wilderness the ground was hard and dry, and 
nothing grew which could be used as food. As the people 
became hungry, they again murmured against Moses 
and said it had been better for them to die in Egypt than 
to starve in the wilderness. 

II. "Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold I will 
rain bread from heaven for you ; and the people shall go 
out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove 
them, whether they will walk in my way or no. And it 
shall come to pass, that on the sixth day that they shall 
prepare twice as much as they gather daily." 

III. The people looked and saw the glory of the Lord 
in a cloud. There He again spoke to Moses. In the eve- 
ning numbers of quail came, which served as food for the 
hungry people. When they rose in the morning the 
ground was covered with dew ; and when the dew was 
gone, a small round seed resembling hoar frost lay upon 
the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they 
said one to another, "What is it?" "And Moses said 
unto them, "This is the bread which the Lord hath given 
you to eat." "Gather of it every man according to his 
eating, but let no man leave it till the morning." 

But notwithstanding the goodness of the Lord in thus 
providing for His children, some of the people did not 
obey Moses' direction. They gathered more than they 
needed for that day and saved it until the morrow. But 
to their great surprise, when they looked at it the next 
morning, it had spoiled and was unfit for use. 



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The people called this seed which was sent from 
heaven, manna, and it was prepared for food by grind- 
ing and baking and tasted like wafers made with honey. 

This was sent fresh each day, enough for everybody 
for the day ; but it would not keep. Thus they had to 
trust to the Lord from day to day. But He made a pro- 
vision for them to keep the Sabbath day holy. On the 
sixth day more come down and each one gathered twice 
as much as could be eaten in one day. This was laid 
up till the morning, and it did not spoil. 
On the Sabbath day they rested. 

The Lord provided for the children of Israel in this 
way for forty years, until He took them out of the wil- 
derness. 

Application: What commandment has our Heavenly 
Father given regarding the Sabbath? 

How did He require the children of Israel to honor 
the Sabbath day? 

How does He require us to honor it? What are some 
things we should not do on Sunday? What are some of 
the things we should do on Sunday? 

LESSON 19. THE LAWS OF THE LORD 

Text: Exodus 19: 20. 

Aim: The Lord counsels His children as they need 
and requires their obedience. 

Memory Gem: "Honor thy father and thy mother, 
that thy days may be long upon the land which the 
Lord * * * giveth thee." 
I. Israel at Mount Sinai. 

1. Camped before the mount. 

2. Moses talks with God. 

a. God's promise to Israel. 



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105 



b. His instructions to the people. 

3. The preparation for and the demonstrations on 

the third day. 

4. Moses and Aaron on the mount. 
II. The Ten Commandments. 

1. Description of the tablets. 

2. Explanation of the commandments. 

Point of Contact: What are some of the rules of day 
school? What are some of the rules of Sunday School? 
How many try very hard to obey them? Men made 
these rules. There are some rules, or "commandments, 
made by our Heavenly Father. Which commandments 
are most important to obey, the ones made by men or 
the ones made by the Lord? Would you like to learn 
of some of the commandments we must try so very hard 
to obey, because the Lord gave them? 

Lesson Statement: I. Three months after the chil- 
dren of Israel had left Egypt they came to a place called 
Mount Sinai. I want you to remember the name of that 
mount and the wonderful things which happened there, 
which you will hear about to-day. 

When the children of Israel had assembled at the 
foot of Mount Sinai, the Lord spoke to their leader, 
Moses. He told Moses that if the children of Israel 
would serve him and keep His commandments, He would 
bless them above every other people. 

After having talked with the Lord for some time, 
Moses came down from the mount and told the people 
all the Lord desired them to do. He reminded them of 
the great blessings they had received from Him, and 
of the wonderful manner in which He had saved them 
when Pharaoh and his army were coming after them to 
take them back to Egypt. When Moses had finished 
speaking the people said, "All that the Lord has spoken 
we will do." 



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The Lord had instructed Moses to get the people 
ready for a certain day. On that day the Lord said He 
would come down on the mount in a thick cloud. He 
would speak to the people out of the cloud, and they 
would hear His voice ; but Moses only would be per- 
mitted to see His face and talk with Him. The reason 
the people could not see the Lord was because they were 
not pure enough. We are told in the scripture that only 
the pure in heart shall see God. The people were com- 
manded to wash all their clothing and to cleanse them- 
selves thoroughly. Then on the day appointed they 
would be permitted to gather at the foot of the mount 
to see wonderful things and to hear the voice of God. 

On the morning of the third day all the children of 
Israel got up early and made preparations to go to Mount 
Sinai to worship God and to see the wonderful things 
Moses had told them about. When they had all assem- 
bled at the foot of the mount, a terrible peal of thunder 
almost shook the earth. Then the lightning flashed, and 
on looking up, they saw a thick cloud of smoke coming 
down from heaven and covering the mountain. 

The Lord was in the midst of the cloud, but the 
people were not permitted to see Him. He called to 
Moses, and the people heard the voice of the Lord. He 
invited Moses and Aaron to come up to the mount, and 
they went up. 

II. When they came down Moses held two large, flat 
rocks in his hands. They were covered with writing. 
On them were ten commandments, which the Lord had 
written for the children of Israel to keep. 

When the people kept these commandments, they 
were greatly blessed of the Lord ; but when they failed 
to keep them, they did not prosper. 

Illustrate some of the most applicable commandments 
to the children. If the first one is chosen, enumerate 



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some of the things God has given us : the beautiful world 
with its blue sky, fleecy clouds, and twinkling stars ; the 
season, spring with its blossoms and birds, summer with 
so many, many flowers and good times out of doors, fall 
with its ripe fruit and nuts, winter with its soft, shining 
snow and fun with sleds and skates; happy homes, kin- 
dred, food, etc., etc. Do you not think we should love 
Him best of all? 

Another commandment tells us we should be very 
reverent when we speak His name. We should never 
use it lightly or in anger. When we pray, we must bow 
our heads and close our eyes, and not laugh or think of 
other things. 

Last Sunday we talked of how the Lord wants us 
to keep the Sabbath. This was written on these tablets 
of stone. 

"Honor thy father and thy mother." This means to 
love and obey them. 

The eighth commandment says, "Thou shalt not 
steal," which means, "Do not take anything that is not 
your own." 

Another one says that we should always speak the 
truth. Sometimes it takes a very brave person to speak 
the truth. Don't you think George Washington was 
brave when he told his father that he had cut down the 
cherry tree? He was brave when he fought the English, 
and he was brave when he spoke the truth. 

We should never tell anything about another that is 
not true, either. 

Application: Sometimes the Lord gives command- 
ments to his servants in these days. Who is the Presi- 
dent of our Church? He is the man who tells us what 
the Lord wants us to do. What would you do if you 
learned of other commands the Lord has given? 



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109 



LESSON 20. A STRANGE CONQUEST 

Text : Joshua 1 ; 3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6 :1-16 ; 24. 

Aim: God's blessings must be earned through faith 
and obedience to instructions. 

Memory Gem: "But as for me and my house, we will 
serve the Lord." 

I. Cause of Israel's long wandering. 

1. Disobedient and forgetful of God's blessings. 

2. First generation not permitted to enter the prom- 

ised land. 

II. Joshua, Moses' Successor. 

1. Chosen of the Lord because of his steadfastness 

and faith. 

2. Proving his faith by his works. 

III. Crossing the Jordan. 

1. Apparently impracticable. — No bridges, high wa- 
ters. 

2. People show their faith. 

3. The miraculous crossing. 

4. Memorial monument. 

IV. The Taking of Jericho. 

1. An angel as captain of the Lord's host. 

2. A strange war tactic. 

3. Faith rewarded — the city captured. 

V. The Promised Land Won and Divided. 

1. Six years of war. 

2. God's promises fulfilled. 

3. The land divided. 

VI. The Death of Joshua. 

1. His exhortation to the people. 

2. "But as for me and my house," etc. 

3. The people promise to serve the Lord. 

Point of Contact: How many have ever seen sol- 
diers drilling? When the commander gave a command 



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what did every soldier do? What might happen if a 
soldier disobeyed? In order to be soldiers, every one 
must promptly obey his commander. He cannot stop 
to question "why" or decide not to obey because he 
thinks the order not a good one. His must be unques- 
tioning obedience. Our Heavenly Father was leading 
and commanding the Children of Israel in the wilderness. 
Sometimes they forgot Him and were disobedient. Some- 
times they obeyed with faith. We shall see what hap- 
pened. 

Lesson Statement: I. Because the Israelites who 
came out of Egypt under Moses turned away from the 
Lord so often, and so frequently lacked faith, notwith- 
standing the wonderful ways in which the Lord saved 
them from the Egyptian army, fed them, gave them 
water, and in many other ways blessed them, the Lord 
would not let them go into the promised land, but per- 
mitted them to wander in the wilderness forty years, 
until nearly every one of those who left Egypt had died. 

A great number of children had been born to them, 
however, many of them having grown to manhood; and 
the Lord raised up a man who was to lead them into that 
promised land. 

II. This man was Joshua, and the Lord said unto 
him : "Moses my servant, is dead : now therefore arise, 
go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the 
land which I do give them, even to the children of Israel 
* * * as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; 
I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of 
good courage ; for unto this people shalt thou divide for 
an inheritance the land which I sware unto their fathers 
to give them." 

What a splendid promise this was. How happy it 
must have made Joshua to know that if he would be 
strong, and brave, and keep God's commandments, our 



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111 



Heavenly Father would be with him, never fail or for- 
sake him, but would give him victory over the wicked, 
and give their cities and the land they occupied to the 
Children of Israel. 

Our Heavenly Father wants His children to do 
things to show their faith ; and when they do their part, 
He always does His. 

Now, let us see how Joshua and the children of Israel 
did their part and were blessed by the Lord. 

III. The people who occupied the promised land did 
not love and serve the Lord, but were very wicked. The 
Lord did not want them to remain in the land, so He 
told Joshua to get his people ready to cross the River 
Jordan near which they were camped. It seemed im- 
possible for such a large number of people to cross the 
river, for there were no bridges, and its waters were 
very high and overflowing its banks. But the Lord was 
able to help them and did so in a very wonderful man- 
ner. The priests, carrying that beautiful Ark of the 
Covenant which had been made in the wilderness, went 
first ; and when they touched the water of the river with 
the soles of their feet, the waters were parted and re- 
mained so until all Israel had marched over on dry land. 
The Israelites showed their faith in God's promise by 
going to the river to cross it, even though there were 
no bridges or boats; and God fulfilled His promise and 
made a path for them. • 

Twelve men, one from each tribe, were appointed to 
take a stone each from the bed of the river and carry it on 
the other side. There they built with these stones a monu- 
ment to commemorate this miracle. The Lord your God 
told them to do this, so that when their children should 
ask them why these stones were piled up, they could say : 
"Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the Lord 
dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye 



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were gone over as the Lord * * * did to the Red 
Sea, which He dried up from before us, until we were 
gone over." 

After all the people had crossed over, the priests 
carried the Ark out of the river bed, and the waters filled 
in again, the river running as before. 

IV. The Lord told Joshua to capture the great city 
of Jericho, and how to do it. This called for great faith, 
for it seemed a strange way to capture a city — it was 
God's way, not man's way. 

The soldiers marched around the city once each day 
for six days, followed by seven priests with seven trum- 
pets of rams' horns, and then came the Ark; not a word 
was said, the only sound being the blowing of the trum- 
pets. On the seventh day they got up early and marched 
around the city seven times. At the seventh time Joshua 
told the people to shout, which they did. The Avails of 
the city fell down, the Israelites captured it, and thus 
did the Lord give them the victory. 

In these cruel times thousands of lives are lost in 
taking a city. In capturing Jericho, not one soul on 
either side was slain. The Lord directed the campaign, 
and the people were obedient. If we receive instruction 
from those in authority, no matter how strange it may 
seem, we should stand the test of faith, if we wish to 
succeed. 

V. For six years the armies of Israel, under com- 
mand of Joshua, fought against the wicked people of 
the land, until he gained control of it ; and now the land 
which had been promised to their forefathers, Abraham, 
Isaac, and Jacob, was in the possession of their children, 
God having kept His promise. The land was then di- 
vided among the tribes of Israel. 

VI. Joshua died when he was one hundred and ten 
years old. Before he died, he told Israel of how the Lord 



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had blessed them, and exhorted them to "Fear the Lord 
and serve Him in sincerity and in truth." Then he said 
to the people, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve ; 
* * * but as for me and my house, we will serve the 
Lord." And the people said : "The Lord * * * we 
will serve and His voice will we obey." 

Application: Why was it possible for Israel to cap- 
ture Jericho in this way? What would likely have been 
the condition if they had not been obedient? What did 
they have to have in order to be obedient? 

Who is the very best possible commander? How 
many would like to be His soldiers? Our Heavenly 
Father has commanders under Him. Who is at the head 
of His church. Of the Ward? Of the Sunday School? 
How should we act whenever any of these people give 
us instructions? 



LESSON 21. A DAUGHTER'S DEVOTION 

Text: Book of Ruth. 

Aim: If we really love, we will serve. Love de- 
mands expression in service. 

Memory Gem: "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to 
return from following after thee ; for whither thou goest, 
I will go." 

I. Naomi's Family. 

1. In Bethlehem. 

2. The Journey to Moab. 

3. Naomi's widowhood. 

4. Her daughters-in-law. 

5. Death of her sons. 

6. Return to Bethlehem. 

II. Ruth's Loyalty and Love. 

1. For her mother-in-law. 

2. Shown in reply. 



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PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



III. The Gleaner. 

1. In the field of Boaz. 

2. Her marriage. 

3. Her posterity. 

Point of Contact: A little boy said, "I love you, 
mother." But forgetting his work, he went out to play, 
leaving the mother to bring the wood and the water. A 
little girl said, "I love you, mother ; and I'll help you all 
I can." She rocked the baby, swept the floor, and tidied 
the room. — Which of these children really loved the 
mother? Yes, the one that helped her. 

To-day we shall tell you of a girl who loved her mother 
and who learned to love the Lord. 

Lesson Statement: I. During the days of Joshua 
Israel had served the Lord, and the people grew and 
prospered in this beautiful land which He had given 
them. They still had their flocks and herds, but they 
now cultivated the ground and raised grains and fruit 
for food. They also built many beautiful cities. This 
land which is often called Palestine is tlie land of 
Canaan where Abraham lived so many years before. It 
is the land which Jacob left to journey to Egypt and to 
which our Heavenly Father promised to bring Jacob's 
children back again. So the children of Israel, the de- 
scendants of Jacob, made permanent homes in Palestine. 

Years after Joshua's death there lived in Bethlehem, 
a city of Palestine, a family, consisting of a man named 
Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon 
and Chilion. There was a famine in the land, so Elime- 
lech decided to take his family across the Jordan to Moab. 

Some time after they made their home here a great 
sorrow came to Naomi. Her husband, Elimelech, fell ill 
and died. She was comforted by her two sons, who 
worked hard and did all in their power to fill the place 
of their departed father. 



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In the land of Moab there lived a grand and noble 
young woman whose name was Ruth. She was a most 
beautiful, modest, loyal, true, God-fearing young woman, 
and was loved by everyone who knew her. 

Mahlon and Ruth grew to love each other dearly, 
and in the course of time they were married. A little 
later the other brother, Chilion, married a young woman 
named Orpah. 

Ruth and Orpah had been married only a short time 
when a terrible affliction came to them — their husbands 
died. That was also a great trial to Naomi, for these 
two sons were the only children she had. 

After the burial of her sons, Naomi decided to return 
to Bethlehem, where she had wealthy relatives. Her 
daughters-in-law said they would go with her. She ad- 
vised them to return to their own people, and Orpah 
did so. 

II. Ruth, however, refused to leave her mother-in- 
law, for she loved her almost as dearly as if she had 
been her own mother. When Naomi suggested that she 
go back to her father's house, Ruth threw her arms 
around her mother-in-law's neck and burst into tears. 
"Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from follow- 
ing after thee," she said, "for whither thou goest, I will 
go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people 
shall be my people, and Thy God my God." On hearing 
that, Naomi told Ruth she could go with her. 

III. A few days after their arrival in Bethlehem, Ruth 
went out to glean in the barley fields of a man named 
Boaz. On seeing the strange woman in his fields, Boaz 
inquired who she was and was told that she was the 
widow of Mahlon, the son of Elimelech and Naomi. 
Now Boaz was related to Elimelech, and when he learned 
who Ruth was he showed her much kindness. When 



Ruth Louis Bruck-Lajos 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



Ii9 



the lunch hour arrived, he invited her to come and eat 
with him and his servants. 

Ruth expressed her gratitude to Boaz for his kind- 
ness and asked him why he had taken notice of her who 
was a stranger to him. He told her he had heard of her, 
of her love and devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi, 
and that her loyalty had won his love and respect. 

At the end of the harvest Boaz gave a feast to his 
servants to which Ruth was invited. The next morning, 
when Ruth was getting ready to return to Naomi, Boaz 
made her a present of six measures of barley. Then he 
told her that he loved her, and that, provided another did 
not wish to marry her, he would make her his wife. 

Some time after that Boaz and Ruth were married, 
and the Lord blessed them greatly. They had a son 
whose name, was Obed. He was the father of Jesse; 
Jesse was the father of King David ; and it was from 
David that our Lord and Savior descended. 

Application: Which loved Naomi the best, Ruth or 
Orpah? How do you know that Ruth loved her best? 
Whom do you love very dearly? How could you show 
that you love your parents? Your teachers? The Lord? 

I 

LESSON 22. A BOY WHO LIVED IN A TEMPLE 

Text: I Samuel 1; 2; 3. 
Aim: The truest happiness comes from serving the 
Lord. 

Memory Gem,: "I'll serve the Lord while I am 
young." 

I. Samuel's Parents. 

1. Who they were. 

2. Their worship and sacrifice. 



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PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



3. Hannah's grief and prayer. 

a. Cause. 

b. Her covenant. 

c. Eli's assurance. 

II. Samuel's Birth. 

1. Hannah's thanksgiving. 

2. The naming. 

III. The Dedication. 

1. How made. 

2. For life. 

3. Samuel's favor with the Lord. 

IV. Samuel, the Prophet. 

1. His first vision. 

2. His prophetic calling established. 

Point of Contact: When you do something that 
makes another happy, how do you feel? Have you seen 
anybody make somebody else happy during the past 
week? Tell us about it. I will tell you of a little boy, 
whom we read of in the Bible who was happiest of all 
because he served the Lord. 

Lesson Statement: I. There lived in the city of 
Ramah in Palestine a man named Elkanah. He had two 
wives. One of them had children, but the other did not 
have any. The woman who did not have any children 
was named Hannah. She was a very good woman and 
took great delight in serving the Lord. 

One time Hannah and her husband went to a place 
called Shiloh to worship God and to offer sacrifices to 
Him. Hannah felt very sorrowful and could not be in- 
duced to partake of food. The cause of her sorrow was 
the fact that she did not have a child. Elkanah, her hus- 
band, spoke kindly to her, and did all in his power to 
comfort her. 

A little later Hannah went up to the Temple in Shiloh, 
and there she poured out her soul to the Lord in silent 



The Dedication of Samuel 

Francis W. W. Topham 



122 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



prayer. She implored Him to give her a baby boy, prom- 
ising Him that if He would do so, she would dedicate 
him to the service of the Lord all the days of his life. 

Eli, the priest,, sat in the temple. He saw Hannah's 
lips move, but he did not hear her voice. He thought 
she was under the influence of wine and spoke sharply 
to her. Hannah answered him in a kind and gentle voice. 
She told him she had neither tasted food nor drink that 
day, that she had been praying to God to send her a 
baby boy. On hearing that Eli felt sorry for having' 
misjudged the good woman. He gave her a blessing 
in which he said, "Go in peace: and the God of Israel 
grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him." 

II. And God did hear the prayer of Hannah and 
granted unto her the desire of her heart. In due time 
she gave birth to a baby boy. The baby was given the 
name of Samuel, which means "Asked or Heard of 
God." I cannot describe the joy which filled Hannah's 
heart day by day as she looked upon her darling babe. 
The little one received the tenderest care and. grew in 
strength and in the favor of the Lord. 

III. When he was about a year old, his parents took 
him to Shiloh, to the temple, where his mother had 
prayed for him ; and there he was dedicated to the service 
of God. Eli, the priest, took charge of him and treated 
him as if he were his own child. He provided a little bed 
for him in the holiest place in the temple, and there he 
slept at night with the good priest. When Samuel grew 
into boyhood, Eli gave him certain duties to perform in 
the temple. Among them were the putting out of the 
candles in the golden candlestick and the opening of 
the doors at sunrise. 

(Show that in this service in the temple Samuel was 
brought near to God — then it will seem natural to the 
children that there could be and was communion be- 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



123 



tween Him and the boy Samuel ; that God really called 
this little boy and made him a co-worker. Take advan- 
tage of the splendid opportunity to instill in their minds 
the joy of God's service, that they "may early learn to 
feel that the highest of all privileges is to serve God, 
and that the mother's truest happiness in her child is 
to have him spend his life in serving God." Impress 
upon the child that "Samuel was just what every child 
should be, what every child may be — one in whose 
heart at least God will love to speak, and whose help 
God is glad to have.") 

IV. I will now tell you of a remarkable vision which 
the Lord gave one night to the boy Samuel. He was 
lying asleep on his little bed in the temple, when he 
was awakened by a voice calling his name. He arose 
immediately and went to Eli, thinking it was Eli who 
had called him. Eli told him he had not called him and 
advised him to go and lie down again. Samuel went 
back to his bed, but no sooner had he lain down than he 
heard the voice again calling, "Samuel." 

Again he went to Eli and was very much surprised 
when the priest told him that he had not called him. 
Samuel returned to his bed. Then, for the third time, 
the mysterious voice called "Samuel." The boy arose 
and went to Eli, saying, "Here am I ; for thou didst call 
me." 

Eli concluded it was the Lord who had spoken, so 
he told Samuel to go back to bed and, if his name were 
called again, to say, "Speak, Lord ; for thy servant 
heareth." 

The Lord came and stood and called, as at other 
times, "Samuel, Samuel." The boy answered as he had 
been told by Eli. Then the Lord told Samuel that He 
was displeased with Eli, because he had allowed his sons 



Infant Samuel 

Reynolds 



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125 



to do wicked things and had not prevented them. He 
said He was going to punish Eli and his sons. 

In the morning when Samuel arose to attend to his 
duties, Eli called him and asked him what the Lord had 
said to him. Samuel did not like to tell the priest ; but 
Eli insisted, so he told him all. Then Eli said, "It is 
the Lord : let Him do what seemeth Him good." 

(Point out the difference between the joy that came 
to Samuel, who served the Lord because he loved Him, 
and the dreadful fate that fell upon Eli's wicked sons, 
who used God's service for selfish and sinful purposes.) 

Samuel grew and became a great man, and was 
acknowledged by all the people as the prophet of the 
Lord. 

Application: In our day God called Joseph Smith 
when he was but a boy to be a prophet just as he called 
Samuel. He was the founder of our church. How can 
you serve the Lord? When you grow a little older and 
are made deacons, what will you do for the Lord? When 
you grow to be a man, or a woman, what do you want 
to do for the Lord? When is the proper time to begin 
to serve the Lord. "I'll serve the Lord while I am 
young." How, then, will you feel? 



LESSON 23. A SHEPHERD BOY CHOSEN KING 

Text: I Samuel 8:1-22; 9:1, 2, 15-17; 10; 13:9-14; 
15; 16. 

Aim: The Lord does not judge us by our outward 
appearance, but by our true worth. 

Memory Gem: "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; 
for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the 
Lord looketh upon the heart." 

Song : "I'm not too young for God to see." 



126 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



I. Saul, the First King of Israel. 

1. Samuel, Judge over Israel. 

2. People desire a king. 

3. Samuel's inquiry and the Lord's answer. 

4. Saul anointed king. 

II. Saul Rejected by the Lord. 

1. Because of disobedience. 

2. Samuel commanded to chose another. 

III. The Choosing of a King. 

1. The sons of Jesse appear before Samuel — the 
youngest chosen. 

2. David anointed to become king. 

IV. Saul and David. 

1. Why David was called to Saul. 

2. Saul's ignorance of the choosing of David. 

3. David wins Saul's favor. 

Point of Contact: There is One who knows us even 
better than our father, mother or any one else in the 
world. Who could possibly know us better than our 
parents? Yes, our Heavenly Father, for He knows the 
thoughts of our hearts, even though we do not express 
them in words. 

Lesson Statement. I. Samuel the prophet had been 
judge in Israel for many years. He judged the people 
wisely and well, and when they listened to Samuel's 
teachings and served the Lord, they had power over 
their enemies and peace reigned in the land. 

One day all the elders of Israel came to Samuel and 
told him they wanted him to appoint a king to rule over 
them. Samuel did not think that would be a wise thing 
to do. He told the elders that if he were to appoint a 
king, and the king became a wicked man, the people 
would be made to suffer terribly because of his wicked- 
ness ; he would take away from them their orchards and 
vineyards, would take their sons and daughters to be 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



127 



his servants, and would also burden them with' heavy 
taxes. 

But the people would not harken unto the words of 
Samuel. They insisted on having a king. Then Samuel 
went and laid the matter before the Lord ; and the Lord 
told him to appoint a king for the people, even as they 
desired. 

There lived in a certain part of the country at that 
time a powerful and wealthy man named Kish. He had 
a son whose name was Saul. Saul was remarkable for 
his beauty and strength. He was also very tall ; in fact 
he was head and shoulders taller than any other man. 

This man the Lord told Samuel to anoint as king 
over Israel. So Saul became king. 

II. Because he failed to keep His commandments, 
the Lord decided to release Saul from being king over 
Israel. No matter how great a man may be, or im- 
portant the position he may hold, if he does not do 
right, he will not have the approval of God. On the 
other hand, no matter how humble a man's lot may be, 
if he does right, and keeps the commandments of God, 
the Lord will honor him. 

Now, the eyes of the Lord had been upon a young 
man in Israel. He had watched him from his childhood, 
and He was well pleased with his godly life. That young 
man the Lord decided to make king over Israel in place 
of Saul. 

III. There lived in the town of Bethlehem at that 
time a man named Jesse. He had several sons. They 
were fine, strong, healthy, good-looking fellows. They 
were also good young men ; but there was one who 
seemed to be more highly favored of the Lord than the 
rest. 

One day the Lord told the prophet Samuel that He 
desired him to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of the 



128 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



sons of Jesse king over Israel. That frightened Samuel. 
He told the Lord that if Saul heard what he was 
going to do, he would have him put to death. But the 
Lord knew how to protect His servant. He told Samuel 
to take a heifer with him and to tell the people he was 
going to offer sacrifice to the Lord. 

When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem, he was met by 
the elders of the people who asked him for what pur- 
pose he had come. He said, "To offer sacrifice." He 
told them to tell all the people to get ready and to join 
him on a certain day. He also sent word to Jesse to 
come to the sacrifice and to bring his sons with him. 

When Jesse came to Samuel, the prophet told him 
that the Lord had sent him to anoint one of his sons 
king over Israel, for Saul had been rejected because of 
his disobedience to the commandments of God. Jesse 
called the tallest and finest looking of all his sons and 
presented him to Samuel. When the prophet saw him 
he said, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him." 

Just then the Lord spoke to Samuel and said, "Look 
not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature, 
because I have refused him ; for the Lord seeth not as 
man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, 
but the Lord looketh upon the heart." 

Then Jesse called another son and made him pass 
before Samuel; but he said, "Neither hath the Lord 
chosen this." And when another son was called, Samuel 
made the same reply. Jesse made seven of his sons pass 
before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, "The Lord 
hath not chosen these. Are here all thy children?" 
And he said, "There remaineth yet the youngest, and 
behold he keepeth the sheep." And Samuel said unto 
Jesse, "Send and fetch him ; for we will not sit down till 
he come hither." 

"And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was 



130 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance and goodly 
to look at. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him ; for 
this is he." 

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him 
in the midst of his brethen ; and the Spirit of the Lord 
came upon David from that day forward. 

IV. But the Spirit of the Lord had departed from 
Saul, and an evil spirit had taken possession of him. 
While he had the Spirit of the Lord, he was very happy ; 
but when he got possessed of the evil spirit, he became 
miserable. 

One day one of his servants told him he knew he 
could get rid of the evil spirit; Saul asked him how 
that could be accomplished. The servant said by get- 
ting a man who could play well on a musical instrument. 
He knew one, a son of Jesse, whom he had often heard 
play on a harp while out in the fields tending his father's 
sheep. That young man was David. 

So Saul sent for David. He did not know at that 
time that David had been chosen to be king in his stead. 
David came to Saul. He sat down before the king and 
played such heavenly music on his harp, that the evil 
spirit departed from Saul, and he had peace for a time. 

Application: Why was Saul rejected by the Lord a? 
king over Israel? Why was David chosen? How does 
our Heavenly Father judge us? Which is better: to 
have a pretty face and beautiful clothes, or a beautiful 
character? How can we get a beautiful character? 



LESSON 24. A BATTLE WITH A GIANT 

Text: I Samuel 17: 18; 19; 20. 
Aim: Reliance upon the Lord brings strength and 
courage. 

Memory Gem: "Thou comest to me with a sword, 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



131 



and with a spear, and with a shield ; but I come to thee 
in the name of the Lord of Hosts." 
Song: "Dare to do Right." 

I. The Two Armies. — Where camped? 

II. Goliath's Challenge. — Its object. 

III. David, the Shepherd Boy. 

1. Tending his father's flock, singing and slinging. 

2. David sent to his brothers in the army. 

IV. David's acceptance. — His faith in God's love and 
power. 

V. The Victory. — Goliath slain. 

71. What Victory Brought to David. 

1. The king's favor. 

2. Jonathan's love. 

3. Michal, Saul's daughter. 

4. Generalship of the army. 

5. Admiration of the people. 
VII. Some Other Things. 

1. The king's jealousy. 

2. Attempts on David's life. 

3. Repeated escapes. 

4.. Abandonment of the king's court. 
5. Parting from Jonathan. 

Point of Contact: In whose care should we place 
ourselves every night before retiring? Whom do we 
want to watch over us during the long night and during 
the day to keep us from harm and help us to do right? 
How can we place ourselves in His care? If we have 
perfect confidence in our Heavenly Father, we will never 
fear to do anything that we know to be right. 

Would you like to hear a story about David that tells 
how he placed himself in God's care? 

Lesson Statement: I. One day news was brought to 
Saul that the Philistines were preparing to attack his 
people. Saul gathered the armies of Israel together 



132 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



and took them to the top of a mountain. The armies 
of the Philistines were camped in a mountain opposite. 

II. In the ranks of the Philistines there was a great 
giant. His name was Goliath. He was ten and a half 
feet high. He wore on his head a helmet of brass, and 
he was dressed in a suit of armor. He came down from 
the ramp of the Philistines, and standing in the valley 
between the two mountains, challenged any of the 
Israelites to come out and fight him. 

Hd stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, "Why 
are ye come out to set your battle in array? Am not I 
a Philistine, and you servants of Saul? Choose you a 
man for you, and let him come down to me. If he is able 
to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your 
servants ; but if I prevail against him, then shall ye be 
our servants and serve us. I defy the armies of Israel 
this day ; give me a man that we may fight together." 

"When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the 
Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid." 
Day after day for forty days the giant went out and 
gave the challenge to Israel; but there was no one 
among them who had the courage to accept it. 

III. Three of Jesse's sons were in the ranks of the 
Israelites on the top of the mountain. 

"On the hills above, toward Bethlehem, there was a 
shepherd boy seated in the midst of his flock, under the 
silvery olive trees. Now he is singing to his rude harp, 
and anon springing up to practice with the sling that is 
the protection of his flock from the lion and the bear. 
His father sends for him to carry a message and gifts to 
his older brothers in the army, and so down the hillside 
and over the fields he comes, and brave in his unques- 
tioning faith in God, takes up the giant's challenge, and 
becomes the champion and the liberator of his people." 

While David was talking with his brothers, Goliath 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



133 



came down into the valley, as he had often done before, 
and challenged any man among the Israelites to come 
out and fight him. 

IV. Imagine the surprise of the Israelites when 
David declared that he had not the least fear of the 
giant and that he would accept his challenge and go 
out and fight him. Saul was in charge of the Israelitish 
army ; and when he heard that David had volunteered to 
fight the giant, he sent for him. Saul told David that 
it would be impossible for him to stand up against 
Goliath, who was such a great warrior that all Israel 
were afraid of him. 

Saul said to David, "Thou art but a youth, and he 
a man of war from his youth." David told Saul that 
one day while he was tending his father's sheep, a lion 
and a bear came down from the mountains, and they 
each seized a lamb and was making off with it, when he 
pursued them, took the lambs from them, and slew them. 
David said moreover, "The Lord that delivered me out 
of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, 
He will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine." 

The great faith and courage of David won the admir- 
ation of Saul, and he said to him, "Go and the Lord be 
with thee." 

V. Saul armed David with his armor and put a 
helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with 
a coat of mail and girded his sword upon his armor ; but 
David said, "I cannot go with these; for I have not 
proved them." And David put them off, then he took 
his staff in his hands and chose him five smooth stones 
out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which 
he had, even a scrip ; and his sling was in his hand. And 
so armed he went forth to meet the Philistine who for 
more than forty days had defied Israel. 

The valley where this combat took place was the 



134 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



vale of Elah, up which the Philistine army swarmed, 
with their archers and spearmen and their war chariots. 
They reached the three cornered plain of Shocoh, shut in 
on all sides by hills. Upon one of the hills the army 
of Israel (which probably had no chariots) was en- 
trenched among the rocks and the bushes. The Philis- 
tines, with their chariots on the plain below, and prob- 
ably with their archers entrenched on the side of another 
hill, wanted to draw the Israelites from their trenches 
down to the open plain, which would give the Philis- 
tines a chance to shower them with arrows as they came 
down the hill and meet those who remained with their 
war chariots and spearmen. 

It is not likely that Goliath expected that any one 
would accept his challenge, but rather hoped that' his 
defiance of the Israelites and his ridicule of their God 
would so anger them, that forgetting prudence, they 
would charge down the hill. 

When Goliath saw David coming towards him, he 
became very angry. "Am I a dog," said he, "that thou 
comest to me with staves? Come to me, and I will give 
thy flesh to the fowls of the air and to the beasts of the 
field." 

Then David said to the Philistine, "Thou comest to 
me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield : 
but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the 
God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 
This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand : 
and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee. 
And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth 
not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, 
and He will give you into our hands." 

Putting a stone in his sling, David went forward to 
meet the giant. When he got a certain distance from 
him, he cast a stone at him. The stone struck the giant 



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135 



in the forehead, and he fell to the earth. David ran for- 
ward, and seizing Goliath's sword, cut off his head. 

Great fear took possession of the Philistines when 
they saw their hero slain, and they began to run down 
the mountain. The armies of the Israelites pursued and 
defeated them. 

VI. David was escorted to the tent of Saul. The 
king praised him for the great deed he had done and 
took him to live with him in his beautiful palace. 

The king had a son whose name was Jonathan. David 
and Jonathan loved each other as if they were brothers, 
in fact each loved the other more than he did himself. 
Perhaps no two boys have ever loved more than Jona- 
than and David. The king was so pleased with David 
that he gave him his daughter to be his wife. He made 
him general of the army. All the people admired and 
loved him. 

VII. Then the king grew jealous. When Saul 
listened again to the evil spirit, he sought to kill David, 
who had to flee for his life. Jonathan helped David 
escape a number of times. Finally David had to aban- 
don the king's court and' part with his dear friend Jona- 
than. David had the Spirit of the Lord and would not 
do any one any harm. He waited for the Lord to bless 
him in his own time. 

Application: Why was David not afraid when he 
went to meet the giant? When you have duties to per- 
form, on whom could you rely? If you did 'trust in the 
Lord, how would you feel? 



LESSON 25. RESPECT FOR THE LORD'S 
ANOINTED 

Text: I Samuel 21; 22; 23 ; 24. 
Aim: The Lord blesses those who return good for 
evil. 



136 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Memory Gem : "Thou art more righteous than I ; 
for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I rewarded 
thee evil." 

I. David Flees to Escape Saul's Anger. 

1. Becomes leader of a band. 

2. Delivers one of Saul's cities. 

II. Delivered from Saul. 

1. Nearly surrounded. 

2. Saul recalled. 

III. Saul in David's Power. 

1. Saul sleeps in David's cave. 

2. David urged to slay him. 

IV. Good Returned for Evil. 

1. David cuts off Saul's robe. 

2. The Lord's anointed. 

V. Saul Recognizes David's Mercy and Righteousness. 
Point of Contact: How do you feel when you have 

been kind to someone? Supposing someone has been 
unkind to you, and you are still good to him; how do 
you feel? It is easy to be kind to those who are kind 
to us, but we ought to be kind to all, even to those who 
are unkind to us. How happy we feel when we have 
loaned our ball or our doll to one who may have been 
unkind to us. Jesus wants us to love everybody. Have 
you ever been kind to some one who had been unkind 
to you? Tell me about it. How did it make you feel? 
No doubt the unkind person felt very much ashamed 
and sorry when you treated him kindly. This is re- 
turning good for evil. The person who is kind to 
enemies proves himself to be strong and noble, and 
pleases our Heavenly Father. Jesus always forgave 
His enemies and was kind to them. We are going to 
learn how David treated his enemy. 

Lesson Statement: I. Jonathan always tried to pro- 
tect David ; but, when he found that Saul's heart was so 



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filled with wicked jealousy that David was no longer 
safe, he gave the signal to flee. Even before this, Saul 
had been cruel to David ; but David had no hatred in 
his heart for Saul, but always tried to help him. Saul 
often listened to the evil spirit, and then tried to harm 
David because he was good and loved by all the people. 
So as Jonathan had no power to protect David against 
Saul his father, David fled to Nob, where he secured 
some bread and Goliath's sword. After further travel- 
ing, he came to the cave of Adullam, in the land where 
he was near his own people. Fearing that Saul might 
injure his father and mother, David took them to the 
king of Moab for safe-keeping. 

While at the cave of Adullam, David gathered a 
number of men who made him their captain. He led 
them against the Philistines who had attacked a city 
called Keilah. David's men thought they were too few, 
but God told David to go. He went and won. 

II. David always sought the aid of his Heavenly 
Father, who instructed him what to do. The Lord told 
him that Saul would come upon his hiding place. Saul 
then learned where David was, and while he should have 
been grateful for what David had done in delivering this 
city of Keilah, instead he called out his army to fight 
against David. David now had six hundred men, whom 
he led to a place called Ziph, where he hid in the moun- 
tains. There Jonathan visited and encouraged him. 

Then the people of Ziph went and told Saul where 
David was, and Saul took his army there to kill David; 
but David escaped to the wilderness of Maon, pursued 
by Saul, who almost surrounded him. Just then word 
came to Saul that the Philistines had come into his land, 
so Saul went there to protect his people. David then 
went to Engedi. 

III. When Saul had returned from following the 



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Philistines, he took three thousand chosen men and 
went to seek David "upon the rocks of the goats." 
These rocks are very high and rough, hard to climb and 
a good place to hide in. Saul came along to the very 
cave where David and his men were and laid down to 
sleep, not knowing David was there. Saul would like 
to have killed David. What would David do to Saul? 
David's men wanted to kill Saul while he slept and thus 
end their troubles ; but David was so good and noble 
that he did not wish to hurt him. He remembered 
that Saul had been anointed to be king, and he would 
not hurt the Lord's anointed, even though his own life 
was in danger while the king lived. 

IV. David went up to Saul while he slept and cut a 
part of his robe so he could show Saul how close he had 
been to him, having said to his followers when they 
urged him to kill Saul, "The Lord forbid that I should 
do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed." It 
is wrong for man to raise his hand or voice against one 
whom the Lord has called and anointed. 

V. Saul rose up out of the cave and started on his 
way. David, whose presence he had not discovered, 
followed and cried out to Saul, "My lord, the king," 
and bowed to the ground in recognition of his authority. 
David then asked the king why he listened to false 
stories and believed that he, David, wanted to harm him. 
He reminded him that he had just been in his power, 
but he would not put forth his hand against the Lord's 
anointed. David showed Saul the skirt of the robe that 
he had cut off. Then Saul saw that David had spared 
his life and said, "Is this thy voice, my son David?" 
He wept, because he then knew David was more right- 
eous than he, for he said : "Thou art more righteous than 
I ; for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I rewarded 



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thee evil;" and he admitted that surely the Lord would 
some day make David king. 

David must have felt very happy, as we all do when 
we have "done unto others as we would that they should 
do unto us." 

Application: Why did David have to flee from Saul? 
Tell what happened in the cave. What did David's men 
want him to do? What did David answer? Who are 
the Lord's anointed in our day? How can we show 
respect to those who hold the Priesthood? When Saul 
saw that David had spared his life, how did he feel? 
What did he say? How do we feel when we have been 
kind, especially when we have been kind to someone 
who has been unkind to us? 



LESSON 26. A WISE KING 

Text: I Kings 3; II Chronicles 9. 
Aim: The desire for wisdom is pleasing to the Lord. 
Memory Gem: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him 
ask of God, and it shall be given him." 

I. David's Reign. 

II. Solomon. 

1. Chosen of the Lord — becomes king. 

2. His desire. 

3. The Lord's promise to him. 

4. Example of his wisdom. 

III. Solomon's Kingdom. 

1. Extent — riches — renown. 
Point of Contact: There are so many lovely things 
to want in this wonderful world. Have you boys and 
girls ever thought of what you would like when you 
grow to be men and women? There is one thing that 
would please our Heavenly Father if we wished for it. 
That is wisdom — to be wise, to know a great deal. If 



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we know a great deal then we can do very many things ; 
we can do much good and make many people happy. 
Can you think of some very wise men or women? Joseph 
Smith was one man who was very wise, and he received 
his wisdom from the Lord. The Lord said: "If any of 
. you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, and it shall be 
given him." Joseph Smith believed this, and asked for 
wisdom, and the Lord gave it to him. 

Lesson Statement: I. After Saul's death, David was 
declared king over Israel. He ruled over his people for 
forty years ; and in all this time he continued to serve the 
Lord, so he became great and powerful. But he did not 
forget the covenant he made with Jonathan, who had 
been killed in a great battle ; and when he heard that one 
of his sons was yet alive, he sent for him and restored 
to him all the lands of his father Jonathan. 

II. David had many sons of his own, and several of 
them were good men ; but the Lord chose Solomon, one 
of the youngest, to become king. When David became 
old and could no longer rule over the people, Solomon 
was made the king of Israel. 

One day David invited all the princes and chief men 
of the land to come to Jerusalem. When they were all 
together, he rose and told them that many years before 
the Lord had chosen Solomon to be their king. He said 
the Lord had promised Solomon that if he would obey 
His commandments, he and his sons would always be 
the kings of Israel. 

Then he told the people to keep the commandments 
of the Lord, that they might always have the good land 
which the Lord had given them. When he was through 
talking to the people, he turned to Solomon and spoke 
to him before all the people. He said these beautiful 
words : "And thou, Solomon, my son, obey the God of 
thy father, and serve Him with all thy heart; for the 



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Lord looks at the heart and knows all thy thoughts. 
If thou wilt serve God, He will be thy friend; but if 
thou turn away from serving Him, he will cast thee off 
forever." 

Solomon now sat on the throne instead of his father, 
David. The princes and all the great men and all the 
people served him. He was very young to be a king, 
but he tried hard to do what was right. He loved the 
Lord and trusted Him. 

One night, when Solomon was lying asleep, the Lord 
talked to him in a dream. He told Solomon he might 
have anything he wished for. When the Lord said, 
"Ask what I shall give thee," Solomon knew what he 
wanted more than any other thing. He said, "Give thy 
servant wisdom, that I may know good from bad, and 
be able to rule well over Thy people, the children of 
Israel." 

The Lord was very much pleased with the answer 
Solomon gave. He told him that because he had not 
asked for riches, nor for long life, nor for power over 
his enemies, He would give him the wisdom he had 
asked for. And, besides wisdom, He would give him 
riches and honor more than any other of the kings that 
had been before him or should come after him. The 
Lord also promised Solomon that if he would do what 
was right, He would grant unto him long life. 

When Solomon awoke out of his dream, he was very 
happy and went to Jerusalem and made an offering 
unto the Lord. 

As the time went ■ on, Solomon became very great. 
The people in all the country heard how great and wise 
he was, and came to see him and to hear his wise sayings 
One day when King Solomon sat on his throne, two 
women came to him. Each one carried a little baby in 
her arms. The babies were both little boys and seemed 



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to be about the same age. But one of the babies was 
dead. The mothers were both very angry and were 
quarreling with each other. 

One of the mothers went close to the king and said : 
"O king, this woman and I live in the same house, and 
we each have a little baby boy. In the night her baby 
died, because she covered him too much ; and when she 
woke and found he was dead, she arose and took away 
my baby, and laid her dead baby in my arms." 

"That is not true. The living baby is mine," cried 
the other mother. And so they quarreled in this Way 
before the king. 

How was he to know which one spoke the truth? 
Nobody out of the house in which these women lived 
knew the babies apart, and each one said the living 
baby belonged to her. 

Now, Solomon's wonderful wisdom helped him to 
tell which was the real mother of the living child. He 
knew that the mother of the living baby loved her child 
and would let no harm come to it. So he turned to his 
servant and said, "Go, bring my sword." 

When the servant returned with the sword King 
Solomon said, "Divide the baby and give half to- one 
mother and half to the other." 

You must not think that Solomon was cruel. No, 
he wanted to know which of the women was the mother, 
and he knew that the real mother would not allow her 
baby to be hurt. 

He was right, for one woman cried, "O, do not harm 
the baby; give him to her." The other woman only 
bowed her head. 

Solomon saw in a moment which was the mother 
because she was filled with love ; and he said, pointing 
to the real mother, "Give her the living baby, and do 



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it no harm." So the true, loving mother had her child 
safe and well. 

When the people heard what Solomon had done, 
they praised him and were willing to serve him, because 
they knew that the Lord had given him wisdom. 

III. The Lord not only gave Solomon wisdom, but 
He gave him great riches as well. Solomon built for 
himself a grand house He had everything he could 
wish for. Every year a great many ships went away 
to far-off lands and came back bringing gold and silver 
and ivory for him.. 

There was once a queen of a land called Sheba, a 
far-off country. She was very beautiful and very rich. 
When she heard of Solomon's wisdom and riches, she 
made up her mind to go to Jerusalem to see this wise 
king. So, with a great many camels loaded with costly 
spices and with gold and silver, she started for the 
land where Solomon lived. She took her most beauti- 
ful clothes with her, that she might wear them in the 
king's palace. 

Many people watched the beautiful queen and the 
long train of camels slowly making their way to the 
king's palace. When the queen arrived at the palace, 
the king received her very kindly and made her welcome. 
She talked with Solomon and asked him many hard 
questions. He answered them all and explained all 
that she asked him. 

When she was taken through his beautiful house 
and shown the golden pathway which led to the temple, 
she was filled with wonder. She was pleased with her 
visit and gave Solomon many costly presents of gold 
and precious stones. Solomon in turn gave her many 
presents. Then she and her servants went back to their 
own country. 

Application: Which of all Solomon's possessions 



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was the best to have? Who gave Solomon his wisdom? 
The Lord can make us wise if we strive for it. What 
has He promised? ("If any of you lack wisdom, let 
him ask God, and it shall be given him.") 

LESSON 27. GOD'S HOUSE 

Text: I Kings 6; II Chronicles 3-7. 

Aim: If we have proper reverence for the Lord, we 
will show reverence for His houses of worship. 

Memory Gem: "My house shall be called a House 
of Prayer." 

I. Solomon's Special Work. 

1. David's desire. 

2. The Lord's instructions to Solomon. 

3. Erection of the Temple. 

a. Many men ; cedars from afar. 

b. Hammer or ax not heard in it. 
b. Seven years in construction. 

II. Description of Temple. 

1. Grandest ever built; size 105 feet by 35 feet and 

52 feet high. 

2. Interior Decorations, 

a. Two halls divided by veil. 

b. "Molten Sea"— 15 feet in diameter by 7y 2 

feet high; held 17,000 gallons. 

c. Carvings, draperies, gold, precious stones, etc. 

d. Beautiful furnishings. 

III. Dedication of the Temple. 

1. Assemblage. 

2. The ark, the table of stones and holy vessels 

brought to the Temple. 

3. Solomon's dedicatory prayer and blessing. 
Point of Contact: Why did we come to the chapel 

this morning? To whom does it belong? What other 

10 



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places of worship can you think of? Which is the most 
sacred of all? 

Lesson Statement: I, A long, long time ago, when 
David and Solomon lived upon the earth, the Lord 
wanted the people to have a temple. David wanted to 
build it, but the Lord was not willing that he should 
do so. He told David that he wanted his son, Solomon, 
to build the temple. The Lord told David just how and 
where the temple was to be built; and when David was 
ready to die, he called Solomon to him and told him 
just what the Lord wanted him to do. Even though 
David was not going to build the temple, he made ready 
many stones with which to build it. The Lord also 
gave Solomon a great deal of gold and silver to use. 

Soon after the death of David, Solomon began the 
great work of building the temple. It was the grandest 
temple that was ever built. It cost a great deal of 
money and took many, many men to build it. Every 
stone of which it was built was made into its proper 
shape before it was taken to its place in the temple. The 
sound of a hammer or an ax was not heard in the temple 
all the time it was being built. 

There were 10,000 men constantly employed in the 
Lebanon. They worked one month then they returned 
to their homes for two months, while others took their 
places. The Lebanons were one hundred and fifty to 
two hundred miles northeast of Jerusalem. They hauled 
the timbers thirty or forty miles to the Mediterranean, 
took them in flats to Joppa, thence over good roads 
across the valley of Sharon, up through the mountains 
of Judea to destination. The Israelites were agricultur- 
ists and exchanged raw materials for finished products 
and timber of Lebanon. 

II. All the inside was covered with wood. This 
wood was carved and then covered with gold. The floors 



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and doors and the inside of the great porch were all cov- 
ered with pure gold. A beautiful crimson and purple cur- 
tain was hung between two rooms. In different parts of 
the room King Solomon put precious stones to make the 
place more beautiful. 

When the temple was finished, Solomon called all 
the people of Israel to Jerusalem, that they might see 
the beautiful temple. The ten commandments which 
were written on the tables of stones had been kept all 
this time ; and now that the temple of the Lord was built, 
they were taken there. 

III. Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, the 
heads of the tribes, and others, instructing them to bring 
up the Ark of the Covenant. They brought not only the 
Ark but all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, 
which were then deposited in the temple. 

"It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers 
were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising 
and thanking the Lord." The burden of their song was, 
"the Lord is good ; for His mercy endureth forever." The 
house was filled with a cloud, a mark of our Heavenly 
Father's approval. 

Then Solomon arose ; and all the congregation stood, 
while Solomon recited God's promises and goodness. 
Then, kneeling, he spread his hands toward heaven and 
offered a beautiful dedicatory prayer, asking for God's 
mercies toward His people. 

I hope that everyone of you has either seen or heard 
of our beautiful temples. One of them, perhaps the most 
beautiful of them all, is in Salt Lake City. The pioneers 
had been in Salt Lake valley only a few days, when the 
prophet, Brigham Young, chose the spot where the tem- 
ple should be built. 

One day, while he was walking with some men, he 
put his cane down in the ground and said, "Here we will 



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build the temple of our God." The place was then very 
dry and barren ; but now, on that very spot, stands the 
beautiful Salt Lake Temple. 

A few years after the place was chosen, the building 
was started. The people were all very poor then ; but 
they knew that they were doing the will of the Lord, 
and they had faith in Him and knew that He would 
help them. 

The rock of which the temple is built is light gray 
in color. It is called granite. (Show the children a 
little piece of granite.) It was hauled by ox teams from 
the mountains, about twenty miles from Salt Lake City. 
Some of the rocks were so large and heavy that it took 
four yoke of oxen to haul them. The oxen traveled very 
slowly with their heavy loads. It sometimes took four 
days to bring one of these heavy rocks to the city. 

The people worked very hard in those early days 
and saved all the money they could to help build the 
temple. Often, while they were building it, the work 
had to stop because the people had no money; but as 
soon as they could, they would begin work again. It 
took a very long time; but the Saints trusted in the 
Lord, were patient, and worked hard until the temple 
was finished. 

The temple is longer than it is wide, and on each 
end there are three great towers. On the middle tower 
on the east end there is a beautiful gilt statue of the angel 
Moroni. When the sun is coming up in the morning and 
going down in the evening, its light shines on the statue 
and makes it look beautiful. Everything about the tem- 
ple is very clean, and the place is very quiet. The lawns 
and flowers are very beautiful in the summer time, and 
to walk in the temple grounds fills one with beautiful, 
heavenly thoughts. 

The inside of the temple is also very beautiful. There 



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are a great many rooms, and they are furnished with 
very fine furniture. The carpets and curtains are all 
the very best, and pictures of many of the Lord's ser- 
vants hang upon the walls. There are two rooms which 
are seated with chairs, and it is in these rooms that 
meetings are held. 

After the temple was finished and furnished, many 
Latter-day Saints came to Salt Lake City. Meetings 
were held; and the temple was dedicated to the Lord, 
that His work might be done there. The temple is the 
Lord's house, and only people who are very good arc 
allowed to go into it. Even Latter-day Saints have to 
get statements from their bishop and stake president 
saying that they are good enough to enter. Other people 
cannot even get close, for there is a fence around its 
beautiful gardens which keeps them away. 

There were a great many people who had died before 
the Gospel was restored to earth through the Prophet 
Joseph Smith. These people had not been baptized or 
confirmed members of the true Church, and now our 
fathers and mothers go to the temple and are baptized 
for them. Is not that grand? And do you not think 
that our Father in heaven is pleased with His people? 
Many good people go almost every week to the temple 
and are made very happy. 

There is a little girl in Salt Lake City who was once 
very sick. The doctors who went to see her said they 
did not think she would get well. Her mother and 
father were good people, who loved the Lord. The little 
girl's mother took her to the temple, she was bap- 
tized and blessed there, and now she is well. She is very 
happy, and knows that our Heavenly Father made her 
strong again. 

When you girls and boys grow big, if you are good, 
you will go to the temple to be married; and then you 



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will be happy, for that is the place where our Father in 
heaven wants His children to be married. 

Application: How many would like to go to the 
temple when you grow up? How can we show that 
we reverence other places of worship? How should 
we care for the furniture? The walls? What should the 
boys do before entering? If it is muddy, what should 
we all do? How should we conduct ourselves after 
entering? 



LESSON 28. THE GREAT DROUGHT 

Text: I Kings, 16:29-33; 17:1-6; 18. 

Aim: A departure from the worship of God forfeits 
the blessings of heaven. 

Song: "If You Have Faith." Page 28, K. & P. Songs 
(Thomassen.) 

Memory Gem: "Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy 
God, and Him only shalt thou serve." 

I. Elijah — a Prophet of the Lord. 

1. The calling of a prophet — God's mouthpiece to 

the people. 

2. Penalty always follows rejection of message. 

3. Description of Elijah and place of abode. 

II. Rulers in Israel. 

1. King Ahab — a wicked ruler. 

2. Effect of his bad example. 

3. Jezebel — his wife — a princess of Tyre. 

4. Beautiful, but selfish and cruel. 

5. Her introduction of idol worship. 

III. Elijah's Message. 

1. Elijah sent to Ahab. 

2. Drought predicted and prophecy fulfilled. 

3. Great suffering and death. 

IV. The Lord Remembers His People. 



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1. Effects of humility and repentance. 

2. Return to worship of the true God. 

3. Drought broken. 

Point of Contact: Have you ever thought of what 
would hapen if no rain fell during the spring or sum- 
mer, nor snow during the winter? What would become 
of the crops the farmers planted, of the trees that furnish 
us with fruit, of the grass and flowers that make our 
homes so beautiful? I wonder if we always remember 
that it is God who, in His love for us, sends the rain, 
the sunshine, and the snow — all for our good? Then the 
wheat grows, and we have flour from which to make 
bread to eat; the trees bear delicious fruit; the cows feed 
upon the grass and give us milk; while the flowers help 
so much to make us happy. 

We are going to tell you to-day of a people to whom 
God taught this lesson of gratitude. 

Lesson Statement: I. After King Solomon's death 
the kingdom was divided and two kings reigned over the 
people. The kings forgot the Lord, and both kings and 
people turned aside into wickedness ; but our Heavenly 
Father was merciful to them, even in their sin, and sent 
His prophet to warn them of the sorrows that should 
come upon them if they did not repent. 

I am going to tell you today about a great affliction 
that came to the children of Israel one time, because 
they turned away from worshiping the true God, the 
God who had brought them out of Egypt, taken them 
through the Red sea, and landed them safely in the 
Promised Land. But before doing so, I wish to speak 
of a great prophet that lived at that time. A prophet 
is one who stands between the Lord and the people. The 
Lord reveals His mind and will to His prophet, and he 
in turn tells the people what the Lord desires them to do. 

When the people do as the prophet tells them, they 



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obey the Lord ; but when they disobey the prophet, they 
disobey the Lord. It is a very serious thing for people 
to treat lightly the counsel of a prophet of God. You 
heard how the people perished in the days of Noah, 
because they refused to obey the counsel which the Lord 
gave them through the Prophet Noah. 

The prophet I am now going to tell you about was 
named Elijah. He was one of the greatest prophets 
that ever lived. He was not like other men. He did not 
dwell in the cities but lived in lonely and desert places. 
There, Avith everything peaceful around him, he walked 
with God and learned His will. I am sure you could not 
guess how he was dressed. He was clothed in a mantle 
of rough cloth made of camel's hair. His hair and beard 
were long and rough. His face was stern and serious, 
but his heart was tender and full of love. 

II. About one hundred years after Solomon, part of 
the children of Israel were ruled over by a king named 
Ahab. He was a wicked man. The Bible tells us that 
"Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to 
anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him." 
And I am sorry to tell you that the bad example of this 
wicked king was followed by most of the people. 

Ahab married a princess whose name was Jezebel. 
She was very beautiful, but she was also very selfish and 
cruel. She did not believe in the true God. She was 
a heathen, and worshiped idols. Ahab loved her and 
did many things that were wrong, just to please her. 

This is one of the wicked things he did: He com- 
manded the children of Israel to stop worshiping the 
God of their fathers and to worship a false god named 
Baal. Some of the people did as the king commanded, 
but others would not. The prophets and priests would 
not worship Baal. They said they would remain true to 
the faith of their fathers and serve the Lord, for He 



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has said, "Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and 
Him only shalt thou serve." Because of their refusal to 
worship the false god of Ahab and Jezebel, many of the 
prophets were put to death. 

The Lord was greatly displeased with the king and 
also with the people. It was from the true God that they 
received so many blessings. He had blessed them with 
health and strength, food and clothing, flocks and herds, 
and many other good things. Now, they had turned 
away from Him and were worshiping a false god. 

III. How was He to bring them back to the true 
faith? He decided to let a famine come upon them, to 
humble them. He told Elijah the prophet to go to King 
Ahab and to tell him that for three years no rain would 
fall on the earth. Without rain the crops would not 
grow, and the people would suffer with hunger. Then, 
perhaps, they would repent and turn and worship the 
true God. 

Elijah did as the Lord commanded him. He told the 
king about the great famine that was coming, but the 
king did not believe him. Then the Lord said to Elijah : 
"Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thy- 
self by the brook Cherithj that is before Jordan. And it 
shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have 
commanded the ravens to feed thee. So he went and did 
according unto the word of the Lord: * * * And the 
ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and 
bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the 
brook." 

The famine came just as Elijah had said. For three 
years there was neither rain nor dew. The crops could 
not grow, and there was scarcely any food for the peo- 
ple. Indeed, many of them died of hunger and thirst. 

IV. At the end of three years the people were very 
humble. Then the Lord sent Eliah to them again. He 



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succeeded in getting them to turn from their evil ways. 
Then the Lord blessed them as he had done before. He 
caused the rains to come again and the crops to grow, 
so there was plenty of food for man and beast. The 
people were very happy. They worshiped the true God 
and gave thanks and praise to Him for His blessings. 

Application: Who is the Giver of every blessing we 
receive? How should we show our gratitude to Him for 
these blessings? Upon rising in the morning? When 
about to partake of food? When going to bed? 



LESSON 29. THE CHARIOT OF FIRE 

Text: I Kings 19; II Kings 2:1-15. 
Aim : A righteous life brings a glorious reward. 
Memory Gem: "Be thou faithful unto death, and 
I will give thee a crown of life." 

I. Elijah's Life Threatened — His Escape. 

1. Jezebel vows to take the life of Elijah. 

2. The prophet repairs to the wilderness. 

3. Ministered unto by an angel. 

II. The Calling of Elisha. 

1. Elijah commanded to go anoint his successor. 

2. Meeting of Elijah and Elisha. 

3. Elisha's feast. 

III. The Beginning of the End. 

1. Elijah visits the school of the prophets. 

2. Elisha's request. 

3. The chariot of fire. 

4. The mantle of Elijah falls upon Elisha. 

5. Elisha accepted as the prophet in Israel. 

Point of Contact: Mama went away and left Mabel 
and Alice home to do -the work. Alice thought she 
would rather go out and play. She left Mabel, took her 
doll and visited a neighbor, where they played "house." 



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Alice thought she was having a very fine time. Mabel 
also would have liked to go ; but she wanted to please her 
mother, so stayed home and had the house all straighten- 
ed when mama returned. Now mama brought a beauti- 
ful new dress for one of her girls. Which do you think 
she gave it to? Why? Which girl was happier then? 
Which girl's "fun" lasted the longer? 

Our Heavenly Father has rich blessings for His good 
children. This is how He rewarded some of them. 

Lesson Statement: I. Jezebel, the wife of King 
Ahab, was the means of turning many of the children of 
Israel from the true faith. She also had a number of the 
prophets put to death, because they would not worship 
the false god, Baal. 

Jezebel was very angry with the prophet Elijah. One 
day she sent a servant to him to tell him that on the 
following day, the queen would have him put to death. 

On hearing that, Elijah hastened to Beersheba. There 
he left his servant while he went a day's journey into 
the wilderness. The prophet was very tired, so he lay 
down to sleep under a juniper tree. He had no food with 
him; but he did not worry on that account. He knew 
his Heavenly Father would provide food for him. He 
had done so before — the ravens had brought him bread 
and meat, morning and evening, while he dwelt at the 
brook Cherith, and the widow, at the command of God, 
had given him food in an hour of need. And so the 
prophet trusted in God. 

And in a strange way the Lord provided for His 
servant. While Elijah slept, an angel came down from 
heaven and prepared food for him. When the meal was 
ready, the angel went over and touched Elijah, saying, 
"Arise and eat." 

The prophet arose, and on loking round he saw a 
cake of bread, baked upon a fire, and also a pitcher of 



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fresh water. After partaking of food and drink, Elijah 
lay down to sleep again. The angel touched him a second 
time, and said, "Arise and eat ; because the journey is 
too great for thee. And he arose and did eat and drink, 
and went in the strength of that meat forty days and 
forty nights, unto Horeb, the mount of God." 

II. On arriving at Horeb, Elijah went into a cave and 
lodged there. At this time the word of the Lord came to 
him, telling him to go and anoint Elisha to be prophet 
in his stead. -Elijah went at once to carry out the instruc- 
tions of the Lord. He found Elisha working in his 
father's fields. He, with a number of farmers of the 
village, were plowing up the red soil before putting in 
the wheat. The work was being done by oxen, and the 
plows used were simply sharp sticks. 

On looking up from the plow, Elisha saw an old man 
coming across the fields towards him. As he drew near, 
and Elisha saw his long hair and mantle, he recognized 
him as the prophet Elijah. He wondered why he was 
coming to him. When the two men met, Elijah took off 
his mantle, and, placing it upon Elisha's shoulders, told 
him to follow him, for God had chosen him to take his 
place as the prophet of Israel. 

III. Taking off the mantle, Elijah turned and went on 
his way. Elisha stood looking after him in astonishment. 
Then he ran to Elijah and said, "Let me, I pray thee, kiss 
my father and mother, and then I will follow thee." 
Elijah told him he might go. 

A great change had now come over Elisha. He had 
felt the touch of the prophet's mantle, and the spirit of 
a prophet was already burning in his breast. He was no 
longer a plowman, but a prophet of God. His mission 
would be to lead Israel in the paths of truth and 
righteousness. 

Elisha went back and drove the oxen home. He 



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would not need them again, so he roasted the animals 
and invited his friends to come and dine with him. The 
men sat round the fire, while the women helped them 
to pieces of roast beef and cakes of newly-baked bread. 
They also served them with water, oil, salt, melons, 
grapes, and figs. 

Realizing that his earthly life was fast drawing to a 
close, Elijah paid a parting visit to the schools of the 
prophets at Bethel and Jericho. Elisha went with him 
for he wanted to be with his faithful teacher as much as 
possible. On leaving Jericho, Elijah requested Elisha to 
go back to the city and let him go on his way alone. 
But Elisha said, "As the Lord liveth, and as my soul 
liveth, I will not leave thee." 

A number of the younger prophets followed them at 
a distance. As they stood on the hillside watching the 
departure of Elijah and his companion, they beheld a 
wonderful sight. On coming to the banks of the river 
Jordan, Elijah took off his mantle and struck the water 
with it. Immediately the river parted, and he and Elisha 
passed over on dry ground. 

Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for 
thee, before I be taken from thee." And Elisha said, "I 
pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me." 
Elijah answered and said, "Thou hast asked a hard thing; 
nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, 
it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be. And 
it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, there 
appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and parted 
them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind 
into heaven. 

"And Elisha saw it, and he cried, 'My father, my 
father, the chariot of Israel, and the horses thereof.' And 
he saw him no more." 

As Elijah went up into heaven in the chariot of fire, 




Elijah in Chariot of Fire 

From "Easy Steps in the Bible Story," by permission of Review 
and Herald Publishing Association. 



160 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



his mantle fell to the ground. Elisha ran and picked it 
up and turned his face towards home. On coming to the 
river Jordan, he followed the example of Elijah and smote 
the water with the mantle. Instantly the waters parted 
and Elisha crossed over dry shod. Then he knew more 
fully that the Lord was with him and that the power of 
Elijah rested upon him. 

The young prophets who were still standing on the 
hillside saw what Elisha had done. They knew then 
that God had accepted Elisha in place of His servant 
Elijah, and they came humbly and bowed before Elisha 
and received him as their new teacher. 

Application: What blessings has our Heavenly 
Father promised us if we are faithful? How many would 
like to live in heaven with Jesus, some day? If people 
are good enough, Jesus will give them blessings more 
beautiful than we can now imagine. Which kind of 
treasures would you rather have, earthly or heavenly? 
How can you store up treasures in heaven? How long 
will heavenly treasures last? If we live rightly, what 
can we have with us, even before we go to heaven? 

LESSON 30. A PROPHET'S PROMISE AND A 
WIDOW'S FAITH 

Text: II Kings 4:1-7. 

Aim: The Lord helps His people when they are in 
need, if they trust in Him. 

Memory Gem: "O, give thanks unto the Lord, for 
He is good." 
I. The Widow. 

1. Her distress. 

2. Her sons to be sold for debt. 

3. Her faith. 

4. Applies to Elisha. 



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il. Blessed by the Lord Through His Prophet. 

1. Elisha's directions to the widow. 

2. The widow's oil increased. 

3. Her sons saved. 

III. Her Gratitude. 

Point of Contact: What are some of the things our 
Heavenly Father has given us? Why has He given us 
these blessings? When we are sick, how could the Lord 
bless us? Sometimes His children need His blessings in 
other ways. Sometimes people have not money to buy 
enough to eat or wear. Would you like to hear of a poor 
widow whom we read of in the Bible who needed the 
Lord's blessings very badly? 

Lesson Statement: I. Elisha, as a prophet in Israel, 
tried hard to get the people to serve the Lord. In this 
work he had a great many helpers — men who studied and 
worked with him, for the good of the people. These men 
were called the sons of the prophets. One of the sons of 
the prophets died and his widow went to Elisha, saying, 
"Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest 
that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is 
come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen." 

It was the law in that country, if a man got into debt 
and could not pay, the one whom he owed, the creditor, 
made the man or his son his servant, or bondman, for a 
great many years. So because this woman's husband 
was in debt, her two sons would be taken from her to 
become bondmen. The woman's heart was full of sorrow 
for the loss of her husband, and now she must lose both 
of her sons. She knew Elisha was a prophet of God and 
that he could help her in her trouble. So she went to 
him for help. 

II. Elisha said unto her, "What shall I do for thee? 

tell me: what hast thou in the house?" And she said, 
li 



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"Thine handmaid hath not anything in the house, save 
a pot of oil." 

People in that country used a great deal of oil. They 
used it to anoint the body. They used it in their food. 
Over there oil could be readily sold. So when the widow 
said she had nothing, save a pot of oil, Elisha said : "Go, 
borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even 
empty vessels ; borrow not a few. And when thou art 
come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon 
thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and 
thou shalt set aside that which is full." 

They did as Elisha commanded. They went to the 
neighbors and borrowed many vessels. Then closing the 
door, the widow took up the pot of oil and began pouring 
the oil from it into the pot which her son brought to her. 
When it was full, it was set aside and another was 
brought. One vessel after another was filled ; and still the 
oil came pouring out of the pot, until the woman said 
unto her son, "Bring me yet a vessel; and he said unto 
her, There is not a vessel more." 

When the woman looked upon all these vessels, each 
filled with oil, her heart was full of gratitude to her 
Heavenly Father. She went at once to Elisha. And he 
said, "Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou 
and thy children of the rest." 

III. So with a glad heart the widow hastened home 
again to do Elisha's bidding. The debt was paid, hei 
sons were free, and enough money was left to buy food 
and clothing. The Lord gave not only what she asked, 
but He gave abundantly. And as she and her sons went 
to the Lord in their trouble, in their prosperity, I am sure 
they went to Him, with joy and thanksgiving in their 
hearts, and acknowledged His goodness. "O, give thanks 
unto the Lord, for He is good." 

Application: Why did the Lord bless this poor widow? 



George A. Newman 

Elisha and the Widow's Cruse of Oil 

Copyright, 1914, by the American Sunday School Union. 
Used by permission. 



164 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



If we should ever need anything very, very badly, whom 
could we ask for it? What should we have when we ask? 
Perhaps we would ask for something that would not be 
good for us, then our Heavenly Father, who knows better 
than we, would not grant our desire. When we ask for 
the right blessings, what kind of people should we be, 
so the Lord will answer our prayer? 



LESSON 31. "AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL 
LEAD THEM" 

Text: II Kings 5:1-16. 

Aim: Great blessings come from a child's faith. 

Memory Gem: "Behold, now I know that there is no 
God in all the earth, but in Israel." 

Review Song: "If you have faith," Page 28, K. &. P. 
Songs. (Thomassen.) 

I. Naaman. 

1. Who he was. 

2. His affliction. 

II. The Hebrew Child. 

1. Captive of the Syrians. 

2. Maid of Naaman's wife. 

3. Her sympathy. 

4. Her faith. 

III. Naaman Goes to Samaria. 
L Visits the king. 

2. Seeks Elisha. 

3. Message from the prophet — How received. 

IV. Naaman healed — Acknowledges God. 

Point of Contact : Has any one whom you love very, 
very much been seriously sick at home? Whom do you 
think could cure that person? Perhaps a doctor was 



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sent for. Did the doctor know what to do? Yes, doctors 
have studied and know a great deal about sickness. Did 
the doctor help the sick person? Who thought of some- 
one else besides the doctor who could cure sick loved 
ones? Who is it that knows a great deal more and has 
much more power than doctors? No matter how sick a 
person is, the Lord always can cure him, if we have faith 
and ask Him to do so. Many times people are cured, 
without even sending for a doctor, if they ask our 
Heavenly Father to cure them. Many times the doctor 
has said that such people cannot live, but the Lord has 
made them better. 

Lesson Statement : I. Just north of the country ruled 
by the king of Israel was a country named Syria. The 
chief city in Syria was the beautiful city of Damascus. 
It is situated near the foot of snow-clad mountains, on a 
plain covered with rich corn fields, beautiful gardens, and 
blossoming orchards, and made fruitful by the clear, 
sparkling waters of two rivers. The bright buildings in 
the city rise out of a sea of variously tinted foliage, and 
the city and its surroundings make a beautiful picture. 

In the city of Damascus there lived a man named 
Naaman. He was the captain of the Syrian king's 
soldiers. He was an honorable man as well as a brave 
one, and he was in great favor with the king. But 
Naaman was very ill, with an incurable disease. He had 
leprosy. This is such a serious disease that often the 
one who is afflicted with it has to go away and live 
by himself. 

II. Naaman lived in one of the beautiful homes in 
Damascus. The streets of the city are very narrow, and 
the part of the house facing the street is only a plain 
wall with a doorway in it. But through this doorway 
one passes to a very beautiful interior. In the center of 
the house is a marble-paved court, ornamented with trees, 



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shrubs, and fountains. The rooms of the house open 
upon this court and are often luxuriously furnished. In 
such a home the family of Naaman lived. 

The maid of Naaman's wife was a young girl who had 
been brought as a prisoner from the land of Israel to 
Damascus by the Syrian soldiers. But although this little 
girl was a prisoner in a strange land, she performed her 
duties cheerfully, striving to bring happiness to those for 
whom she labored and desiring their welfare in all things. 
She was full of sympathy for her master's suffering, and 
knowing the great power that the Lord gave to His 
prophet, she one day said to her mistress, "Would that 
my master were with the prophet that is in Samaria ! and 
he would recover him of his leprosy." 

III. The words of this little maid were repeated to 
Naaman ; and when the king heard of it, he said to him, 
"Go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So 
Naaman departed, taking with him presents of gold and 
silver and fine clothing. He drove in. a chariot drawn by 
horses, and the soldiers who accompanied him walked. 
It would take them several days to go to Smaria, for it 
was more than a hundred miles from Damascus. But 
at length Naaman arrived at the king's palace and pre- 
sented the letter which he had from his king. 

He was received graciously by the king of Israel; but 
when he read the letter which said, "I have sent Naaman 
my servant to thee that thou mayest recover him of his 
leprosy," he became angry and said, "Am I God, to kill 
and make alive, that this man doth send unto me to 
recover a man of his leprosy?" 

When Elisha heard of the king's anger, he sent to the 
king, saying: "Wherefore art thou angry? Let him 
come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet 
in Israel." 



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So Naaman came with his horses and his chariot, and 
stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha 
sent a messenger unto him, saying, "Go and wash in 
Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to 
thee, and thou shalt be clean." 

"But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, 
Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and 
stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and 
strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are 
not * * * the rivers of Damascus better than all the 
rivers of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean? 
So he turned and went away in a rage." 

IV. But one of his servants came to him and said, 
"My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great 
thing, wouldst thou not have done it? how much rather 
then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean." 

Naaman listened to the advice of his servant; and, 
going to the river, he "dipped himself seven times in 
Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God ; and 
his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, 
and he was clean. Then he returned to the man of God, 
he and all his company, and came and stood before him ; 
and he said, "Behold, now I know that there is no God in 
all the earth, but in Israel." 

Naaman urged Elisha to accept the rich presents 
which he had brought, but Elisha refused to do so, 
saying, "Go in peace." So Naaman departed to his own 
country. 

Application : When we want the Lord to heal us, how 
do we ask Him? Sometimes we pray to Him ourselves. 
Whom do we often call in to bless us? Whv do we call 
in the elders especially? What do they do? What must 
we have in order to be healed? 



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169 



LESSON 32. HAVING EYES THEY SAW NOT 
Text: II Kings 6:8-23. 

Aim: Those who serve the Lord show mercy and 
forgiveness even to their enemies. 

Memory Gem : "Love your enemies, do good to them 
that hate you." 

I. Syria and Israel at War. 

1. Syrian' camp. 

2. Surprised by Israelites. 

3. King fears traitors. 

4. Sends to take Elisha. 

II. Elisha's Deliverance. 

1. City surrounded. 

2. The servant's fear. 

3. Syrians stricken with blindness. 

III. Elisha's Treatment of His Enemies. 

1. Gives them food. 

2. Allows them to return to Syria. 

Point of Contact: How many of you like to see 
soldiers marching with their bright uniforms and spark- 
ling swords and guns? How many of you have ever 
heard a great big cannon roar when it is fired? To-day 
we are going to tell you of some soldiers who lived 
before there were any guns or cannons and who used, 
instead of guns, bows and arrows and spears. They 
traveled, instead of on trains and automobiles, on foot 
or on horseback, and particularly in what were called 
chariots — perhaps you have seen some chariots in the 
circus. 

Lesson Statement : I. Their camps did not look much 
like the camps of soldiers to-day, for they liked bright 
colors, and they usually had with them their king or some 
of the king's high officers. The king's tent was usually 
placed in the center, and his long spear was stuck in the 



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ground in front of it. The tents of the captains were 
placed around that of the king, and each captain had to 
look after the men under him. A standard or large ban- 
ner waved over the camp. The officers and soldiers of 
high rank wore breastplates made of brass or iron, and 
helmets upon their heads. In battle they fought with 
heavy shields and with swords and lances or spears. 
Each officer had an armor-bearer. After these officers 
in chariots, came the horsemen, dressed in armor with 
lances, swords, and spears. Then came a great throng 
of soldiers on foot, carrying bucklers or shields made of 
wood, covered with tough hides. These men fought 
with bows and arrows and slings. 

The king of Syria gathered a vast army and went to 
make war against the people of Israel. When he drew 
near the country of his enemy, he loked about to find a 
good place for his camp. After talking it over with his 
officers, he decided to make his encampment in a place 
where he thought his army would be safely hidden from 
the king of Israel. 

Soon the men were at work pitching tents, caring for 
their horses, and sharpening their weapons. 

The Syrian king thought that his position was safely 
concealed from the Israelites, and that he could easily 
sally forth and overcome his enemies. The camp was 
hidden from the king of Israel but not from Elisha, the 
prophet, for God had given him the power to know what 
was happening near and far. 

He said to the king of Israel, "Beware that thou pass 
not such a place ; for thither the Syrians are come down." 

Then the army of Israel went down and surprised the 
encampment and got safely away again. They made 
more than one attack in this way. 

When the king of Syria found that his position was 
discovered by his enemy, he was deeply grieved, for he 



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171 



thought that some of his own men must have turned 
traitors and told the Israelites. 

"And one of his servants said, none, my lord, O 
King: but Elisha, the prophet, that is in Israel, telleth 
the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy 
bed chamber." 

When the king heard this, he knew that he could not 
conquer Israel unless he could get possession of their 
prophet ; so he said, ",po and spy where he is that I may 
send and fetch him." 

II. Word came that Elisha was in a city called Dot- 
ham ; so the king sent a vast army to surround the city 
and take Elisha. 

Elisha's servant rose early in the morning and went 
forth and saw to his amazement that the city was sur- 
rounded by this great army. He hurried to tell Elisha 
and said, "Alas, my master! how shall we do?" 

Elisha answered. "Fear not ; for they that be with us 
are more than they that be with them." 

And the prophet asked the Lord to open the servant's 
eyes that he might see. God answered the prayer, and 
the servant beheld horses and chariots of fire round about 
Elisha, and he was no longer afraid. 

When the Syrians came to take Elisha, he asked God 
to blind them, so that they should not know him, or 
know where they were ; and then he said to them, "This 
is not the way, neither is this the city : follow me, and I 
will bring you to the man whom ye seek." 

The Syrians followed Elisha, who led them straight- 
way into the country of the king of Israel. 

When Elisha prayed that God would open their eyes, 
He caused them to realize where they were, and behold 
they were in the hands of their enemies. 

III. When the king of Israel saw his foes before him, 



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he said to Elisha, "My father, shall I smite them? shall 
I smite them? 

"And he answered, Thou shall not smite them : 
wouldst thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive 
with thy sword and with thy bow? Set bread and water 
before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to 
their master. 

"And he prepared great provision for them : and 
when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and 
they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came 
no more into the land of Israel." 

Application: How did Elisha return good for evil? 
Which was the bravest and best — the big Syrian army or 
Elisha? How did Elisha's treatment make all the soldiers 
feel? What effect did it have on the war? How did 
Jesus show He forgave His enemies? Can you tell us 
of some one who has treated another kindly, even though 
that person was unkind to him? How many think you 
could act this way? How would you feel after doing so? 
Which way pleases our Heavenly Father? 

LESSON 33. THE CAPTIVE PRINCES 

Text: II Kings 24; 25; II Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 
52:1-30; Daniel 1. 

Aim: God directs the mind of a pure, strong body. 

Memory Gem: "And shall find wisdom and great 
treasures of knowledge." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 89.) 

Song: "In Our Lovely Deseret." 

I. The Prophecies Concerning Jerusalem. 

1. Jeremiah's warning unheeded. 

II. Jerusalem Besieged. 

1. Nebuchadnezzar. 

a. Takes prisoners and vessels from Temple. 

b. Jerusalem destroyed. 



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173 



III. Four Captives in a Beautiful City. 

1. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 

IV. The King's Bill of Fare for the Captive Princes. 

V. The Captive Princes refuse meat and wine — Result. 

Point of Contact: When is it easier to get your 
lessons, when you are strong and well, or when you are 
sick, perhaps have the headache? When you are sick 
you often have to leave school and go home. You can't 
get your lessons, your mind can't work. Our Heavenly 
Father has told us how to keep our bodies strong and 
well and how to make our minds bright. This story is 
about some boys who knew how to be well, strong, and 
wise. What city of the Israelites was the most beautiful? 
Yes, Jerusalem. Name the most beautiful building in 
that city. What a beautiful building was the temple, 
with its great stone columns, its beautiful carved wood, 
its gold covered doors and porch, its crimson and purple 
curtains, and its precious stones. 

Do you remember how God blessed the Israelites in 
giving them possession of the Promised Land, and how 
rich they became, until they were able to build the great 
City of Jerusalem and its beautiful temple? How strange 
it seems that notwithstanding all these things, the people 
forgot Him and ceased keeping: His commandments. 

Lesson Statement. I. The Lord warned them not to 
sin, by sending prophets, who told them what would 
happen if they did sin. Among these prophets was one 
named Jeremiah who called upon the people to repent 
and warned them that Jerusalem would be destroyed if 
they did not repent and stop doing wrong. He wept 
because of their sins and of the fate of the city he loved. 
But they would not repent. 

II. In the far east a long way from Jerusalem, there 



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lived a very powerful king named Nebuchadnezzar. He 
had a mighty army, consisting of many chariots of war, 
thousands of soldiers who rode on horses, and many 
thousands on foot. He sent his great army to Palestine. 
When the king and the people of Judah heard that this 
great army was upon them, they were filled with fear; 
but even then they would not listen to the prophet of God. 

The army of King Nebuchadnezzar captured one city 
after another, then surrounded the City of Jerusalem, 
and finally captured it. They took from the temple the 
vessels that were used for sacred service. These vessels 
were taken to their great city, called Babylon. Entering 
the king's palace, they took from it all the treasures that 
were to be found ; but worse still, they took as prisoners 
all the princes in the palace and carried them to Babylon 
also. 

Just as the prophets whom God had sent to warn the 
people had told them, Nebuchadnezzar's army came up 
against Jerusalem again ; and this time they not only 
took all the treasure they could find but set fire to the 
buildings, including the palace of the kings and the 
Temple of God which were leveled to the ground. The 
prophet Jeremiah had said, "Jerusalem hath grievously 
sinned ; therefore she is removed." 

III. The city of Babylon, where king Nebuchadnezzar 
lived, was a very beautiful city. It was many miles long 
and situated on both sides of the river, and these build- 
ings were connected with each other by a tunnel under 
the river bed. The grounds connected with the palace 
were very large and beautiful. With their gardens, 
groves, and lakes they were larger than many cities. 
The hanging gardens were planned by the king to please 
the queen. There were several terraces, one above 
another, each terrace being planted with trees, shrubs, 
and flowering plants. The houses in the city were some 



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175 



distance apart and surrounded by flower gardens, and 
with its large, beautiful buildings, its many parks, and 
the canals of water running through it, it was indeed 
a beautiful place. 

To this city were carried the captives who were taken 
prisoners at Jerusalem by the armies of king Nebu- 
chadnezzar. Among these prisoners there were four 
little princes, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 
They were interesting, brave, noble boys. 

IV. The king of Babylon, whose servants they now 
were, wanted them to grow up to be strong and wise 
that they might learn great things and be of use to him. 
So he ordered his men to care for them in the best way 
he knew, which was to feed them from his own table. 
But Daniel knew it was not right for him and his brethren 
to eat the meat and drink the wine included in this food 
and resolved not to do it ; for they knew as we know 
through the Word of Wisdom, which God gave to us 
through the prophet Joseph Smith, that such things were 
not good for man. As God promises through obedience 
to that Word of Wisdom "And shall find wisdom and 
great treasures of knowledge," we shall learn that the four 
little princes found "wisdom and great treasures of 
knowledge" because they were wise in their eating and 
drinking, even so long ago. 

V. So Daniel asked their master, Melzar, to give them 
none of the wine and meat but only water and pulse — 1 
that is such vegetables as peas and beans. But Melzar 
said they would grow thin and weak on such poor food, 
and then the king would be angry with him. 

"Only try us for just ten days," said Daniel. And 
God so blessed the food, that at the end of ten days these 
four boys were fairer and fatter than all the other chil- 
dren who> had been eating the king's dainties. 

And Melzar had found that none were so true, obedi- 



176 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



ent, and honest, so he trusted them very much. They 
grew wise and learned, and still loved and feared their 
God, though they were slaves, so far from home. 

At the end of three years the king had them brought 
before him and found that in all matters of wisdom and 
understanding they were ten times better than all the 
magicians and astrologers in his realm. 

Application: What kind of fruit do you like best? 
What kind of vegetables? What meats? Surely our 
Heavenly Father loves His children, as shown by pro- 
viding such delicious things for us to eat. He knows 
what foods are best for His children. In His love for 
us He has told us of certain things which are not good 
for us. What are they? Just a few things when we 
remember the many and the wonderful variety of good 
things. If we are obedient to His teaching and do not 
take those things not good for us, He has given us a 
promise that we shall have strong bodies and bright 
minds ; and by thus keeping our minds and bodies pure, 
we shall better understand the things of God. Listen 
to some of the promises: "And all Saints who remember 
to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to 
the commandments shall * * * find wisdom and 
great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures : 
And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not 
faint; and I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that 
the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children 
of Israel, and not slay them." 

Let us repeat that portion, "And shall find wisdom 
and great treasures of knowledge." 

How can we keep our bodies pure? When our bodies 
are pure, what thoughts do we have? Whom do we 
please? What promise has He given to those wJ o keep 
His commandments? 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



177 



LESSON 34. YOUTHS WHO WOULD NOT BOW 
TO AN IDOL 

Text: Daniel 3. 

Aim: Courage to do right wins the favor of God 
and man. 

Memory Gem: "Our God whom we serve is able to 
deliver us from the burning fiery furnace." 

I. Jealousy of the King's Counselors. 

II. Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Idol. 

1. The decree. 

2. Penalty. 

III. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 

1. Refuse to bow before the idol. 

2. Their faith. 

3. Cast into the fiery furnace. 

IV. Their Deliverance. 

1. By the power of God. 

2. The effect. 

Introduction: We will tell you how three of those 
captive princes, of whom we learned last Sunday, had 
the courage to do right, even at the risk of their lives. 

Lesson Statement: I. These three Hebrew princes, 
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, whose names the king 
had changed, grew to be wise, good, and honest young 
men; and the king trusted them and made them rulers 
in Babylon. But some of the king's helpers, his coun- 
selors, were wicked men, and were jealous because the 
king trusted the Hebrews more than he did them, and 
they decided to try to have them killed. Now the king 
did not love God, but worshiped idols; and they knew 
these young men would not do that. So the wicked men 
persuaded the king to make a golden idol and to command 
everybody to worship it. 

12 



178 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



II. The king did not think of the trap these men weie 
laying for his favorites, so he built the idol. It was a 
golden image, larger than a high monument, and it was 
set up in the midst of a plain. Then the king sent to 
gather together all the rulers of his provinces to come to 
the dedication of the image. When they were all as- 
sembled and stood before the image, a herald cried 
aloud : "To you it is commanded, oh people, nations and 
languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of cornet, 
flute, harp, and all kinds of sweet music, ye fall down and 
worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king 
has set up ; and whosoever falleth not down and wor- 
shipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a 
burning fiery furnace." The furnaces in those days were 
like large ovens, or brick kilns — "a sort of house quite 
full of fire" for burning and baking bricks or anything 
else that required a very great heat. 

III. When these three Hebrews, Shadrach, Meshach, 
and Abednego, heard about the king's command and even 
the great and dreadful punishment, they knew they would 
have to disobey him. For they loved God, our Heavenly 
Father, and would worship no other. They stood up 
bravely and said : "Our God whom we serve is able to 
deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will 
deliver us out of thine hand, O king! But if not, be it 
known unto thee, O king, .that we will not serve thy 
gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set 
up." This made the king so very angry that he ordered 
the furnace made seven times hotter than usual. Then 
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound hand and 
foot and thrown into it. 

IV. Presently the king gave a loud cry. For in the 
midst of the fire were the men, not tied, but free, and 
walking in the burning heat as if they were in cool air ! 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



179 



And there was another with them whose form was 
as the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar, the king, was 
astonished and rose up in haste and said, "Shadrach, 
Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high 
God, come forth and come hither." 

They weren't hurt in the least and there wasn't even 
the smell of fire about their clothing. God had taken 
care of them and kept them safe in the midst of thf 
flames. 

Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke, and said, "Blessed be 
the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath 
sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in 
Him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded 
their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any 
god, except their own God." Then he commanded the 
people never more to say anything against the God who 
had delivered His children from the fiery furnace. 

Note. — The idol was about ninety feet high, by nine 
feet wide. Probably nine feet square at the base. This 
would mean little to the child, but if some object about 
this size is chosen for comparison, the child's mental 
picture will be clearer. 

Application: What did the king think of the princes 
who had courage to do the right? What do you think 
the Lord thought of them? Have you ever seen any 
one have courage to do the right when some one wanted 
him to do wrong? Tell us of it. Sometimes when boys 
get older, their companions want them to smoke. How 
should they act? If any one ever wants you to say 
something that is not true, what should you do? No 
matter what wrong was suggested, what story could you 
remember? If you had as much courage as the captive 
princes, how would you feel? Who would love you? 



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LESSON 35. A PRINCE WHO DARED TO SERVE 

GOD 

Text: Daniel 6. 

Aim: God protects those who have faith in Him. 
Memory Gem: "My God hath sent His angel, and 
hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." 
Song: "Dare to Do Right." Primary Song Book. 

I. One of Three Presidents. 

1. Faithful and true — Jealousy of others. 

II. Laws of Medes and Persians Unchangeable. 

1. Decree against prayer. 

III. Daniel's Faith and Integrity. 

1. Prayed three times a day — result. 

IV. Daniel cast into the lions' den. 
1. Effect upon the king. 

V. Mouths of the Lions shut. 

1. The king's discovery in morning. 

2. "My God hath sent His angel" — deliverance. 

3. God glorified — "He is the living God." 

Point of Contact: Ned had invited a few friends to 
visit him at his home in the canyon. They had a splendid 
time roving over the hills, fishing, etc. They slept in 
a large room with a number of beds in it. 

The boys arose early, washed, dressed, and combed 
their hair neatly. Then Fred, Tom, and John came 
rushing out, declaring their appetites were good and 
wanting breakfast. Ned's mother noticed that Lowell 
was not with them and glancing into the room, saw him 
kneeling at his bedside in prayer, thanking his Heavenly 
Father for the protection of the past night and asking for 
His guidance during the coming day. At the breakfast 
table Ned's mother said, "Boys, Lowell is the only one 
of you who started right today." "How is that?" asked 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



181 



one after another. "Just stop and think if the rest of you 
did not forget the most important thing today?" 

No matter where you are or what the conditions, 
remember the morning prayer that you may start right, 
having won our Heavenly Father's favor. 

Would you like to hear of a man who knew how 
necessary it is to pray and who dared to do right? 

Lesson Statement: I. King Darius, being an old 
man chose three men to assist him in the government, 
whom he called presidents. Because Darius knew of the 
faithfulness to every trust and the "excellent spirit" of 
Daniel, he made him the first president, giving him 
greater authority than the princes and the other presi- 
dents. 

"Then the presidents and princes sought to find 
occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom ; but 
they could find none occasion nor fault ; for as much as 
he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found 
in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any 
occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him 
concerning the law of his God." They knew Daniel was 
fearless and thought nothing could make him fail in his 
duty to our Heavenly Father, so they sought to get the 
king to issue an order, or a royal decree, forbidding the 
doing of something which God's children ought to do, 
that any one disobeying the decree should be cast into a 
den of lions. They flattered the king, saying to him ; 
"King Darius, live forever." 

II. A very foolish and unwise custom prevailed among 
that people. A decree established by the king could not 
be changed, whether it were good or bad : knowing that 
Daniel prayed to our Heavenly Father, they asked the 
king to decree "that whosoever shall ask a petition" 
(and our prayers to the Heavenly Father are petitions) 



182 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



"of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, 
he shall be east into a den of lions." 

III. How many of us would be brave enough and 
strong enough to say our prayers at the risk of being 
thrown into a den of lions 

Daniel knew that God wanted all of His children to 
pray to Him twice a day, "to thank Him for His many 
blessings, to ask for His protecting care and he knew 
also that God was both willing and able to protect His 
children and that He was greater than any king. Daniel 
not only prayed twice a day, but three times a day ; and, 
altho' he knew of the king's decree, he feared to do wrong 
more than he feared the king or any man, so he continued 
to pray three times each day ; nor would he change his 
manner of praying, so he prayed before his open window. 

Of course these wicked men were watching and. when 
they saw Daniel praying to God, they went to the king 
and reminded him of the decree ; and the king said "The 
thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and 
Persians, which altereth not." 

"Then answered they and said before the king, That 
Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, 
regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast 
signed, but maketh his petition three times a day." 

IV. The king loved Daniel, and no doubt was sorry 
that he had permitted himself to be led into the making 
of the decree ; but while he wanted to save him, he could 
not now change the decree. They brought Daniel and 
cast him into a den of lions. Darius hoped and had 
faith that God would deliver Daniel ; and he said unto 
Daniel, "Thy God, whom thou servest continually, He 
will deliver thee." The king then went to his palace 
and did what we often do when we want some great 
gift from our Heavenly Father. He fasted. He could 
not sleep, nor would he listen to music, but "arose very 



184 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of 
lions." With anguish in his voice he said : "O Daniel, 
servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest 
continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?" 

V. Daniel had been cast into the den the night before, 
a den in which were hungry lions, who naturally would 
tear to pieces anything they could eat, that might be 
thrown to them ; yet, to the king's question there came a 
reply saying, '-'My God hath sent His angel, and hath 
shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." 
The law or decree was satisfied, Daniel had been cast 
into the den, so the king "commanded that they should 
take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up 
out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon 
him, because he believed in his God." 

King Darius then issued another decree — "That in 
every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear 
before the God of Daniel : for He is the living God." 

Application: What should we do each morning after 
arising from our bed ? What the last thing before going 
to bed ? What may we expect if we thank our Heavenly 
Father for every blessing we have and ask for His 
protecting care? 

LESSON 36. A BRAVE YOUNG QUEEN 
Text: Book of Esther. 

Aim: Great blessings come through fasting am! 
prayer. 

Memory Gem: Call upon the Lord with fasting and 
prayer. 

I. Ahasuerus becomes King — His queen. 

II. Haman's Plan. 

1. Why made. 

2. The plan. 

3. The king's consent. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 



185 



III. Mordecai. 

1. His distress. 

2. His appeal to the queen. 

IV. Queen Esther. 

1. Custom regarding the palace. 

2. Her appeal to the Jews. 

3. The fasting and prayer. 

4. The prayer answered. 

Point of Contact : What do we call the first Sunday 
in the month? Why does the Lord want His people to 
fast? A wonderful thing happened once because the 
Jews fasted and prayed. 

Note — King Cyrus ruled over a great many countries. 
His kingdom was a very large one, including a hundred 
provinces. Scattered through these provinces were many 
of the Children of Israel or Jews, as they were then 
called. The Jews had been treated very unkindly by 
both the kings and the poeple, but King Cyrus gave them 
permission to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the 
temple. 

Who built the temple? Who destroyed it? Why did 
our Heavenly Father allow it to be destroyed? 

When this permission was granted the Jews, many 
of them returned to Jerusalem and began working upon 
the temple. They also began to rebuild the city of 
Jerusalem that had been laid desolate so many years 
before. With what glad hearts they started upon this 
long journey! Their exile had taught them a lesson, 
and never again do we hear of the Jews worshiping 
idols. Of course, not all of the children of Israel could 
return to Jerusalem ; and a great many of them remained 
where they were, so in most every province many Jews 
still lived. 

Lesson Statement: I. After Cyrus, Ahasuerus became 
king. King Ahasuerus* queen was a beautiful Jewish 



186 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



maiden named Esther. The king, however, did not know 
that Esther was a Jewess, for when she came to the 
kingdom, Mordecai, who had been as a father to her, 
charged her that she should not show her people nor 
her kindred. 

The king had several men who helped him in his 
kingdom, who were called rulers. One of these rulers 
was named Haman. He was a man who loved power 
and wanted to be a great ruler. So he served the king 
well, that he might win favor in his sight. Haman was 
promoted until he became the chief ruler. He was so 
great that "all the king's servants bowed and reverenced 
him ; but Mordecai bowed not nor did him reverence." 

"And Haman said unto King Ahasuerus, There is a 
certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among 
the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom ; and their 
laws are diverse from all people, neither keep they the 
king's laws ; therefore it is not for the king's profit to 
suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that 
they may be destroyed. 

"And the king took his ring from his hand and gave 
it unto Hainan. And the king said unto Haman, The 
people are given thee to do with them as it seemeth good 
to thee." 

The decree was written and sealed with the king's 
ring and sent into all the provinces, to destroy, to kill, 
and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, 
little children and women. A certain day was assigned 
for this destruction. 

III. When Mordecai perceived all that was done, 
he was filled with sorrow for his people. He clothed 
himself in a coarse cloth, called sackcloth, and came 
before the king's gate. In every province wherever the 
king's decree came, there was great sorrow and mourning 
among the Jews, When Queen Esther heard how Mor- 



Otto Von Heyden 

Esther Braves the King 



188 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



decai stood at the king's gate, she sent her messenger to 
find out the cause. Mordecai gave the messenger a copy 
of the decree, to show it unto Esther, and he said "Charge 
her that she should go in unto the king to make suppli- 
cation unto him, and to make request before him for 
her people." 

IV. When Esther received Mordecai's message she 
was grieved for her people ; but she sent word to him 
saying, "All the king's servants, and the people of the 
king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether 
man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner 
court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him 
to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out 
the golden sceptre, that he may live ; but I have not been 
called to come in unto the king these thirty days." 

And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. 

"Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther. Think 
not for thyself. And who knoweth whether thou art 
come to the kingdom for such a time as this." 

Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer : 
"Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in 
Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink 
three days, night or day : I also and my maidens will fast 
likewise; and so will I go unto the king, which is not 
according to the law ; and if I perish, I perish." 

So Mordecai went out into the city and gathered the 
Jews together. They fasted and prayed for three days. 
On the third day Esther put on her royal apparel and 
stood in the inner court of the king's palace. How great 
was her faith in her Heavenly Father that she had suffi- 
cient courage to do this, when it might mean death to 
her ! But her prayers and the prayers of her people were 
heard and answered, for "when the king saw Esther the 
queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his 
sight ; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 189 



that was in his hand. So Esther drew near and touched 
the top of the sceptre. 

"Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, Queen 
Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given 
thee to the half of the kingdom. 

"Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have 
found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the 
king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my 
people at my request. For we are sold, I and my people, 
to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish." 

Then Mordecai was sent for, and came before the 
king for Esther, and told what he was unto her. "And 
the king took off his ring, which he had taken from 
Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai." And Mordecai was 
made ruler in Hainan's place. 

"And Esther spake yet again before the king, and 
fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to 
put away the mischief of Haman." And said, "If it please 
the king, let it be written to reverse the letters devised 
by Haman which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are 
in all the king's provinces. For how can I endure to see 
the evil that shall come unto my people! or how can I 
endure to see the destruction of my kindred? 

"Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen, 
and to Mordecai the Jew, * * * Write ye also for 
the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name and seal it 
with the king's ring." 

Therefore letters were written and sent out "Where- 
in the king granted the Jews which were in every city to 
gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, 
to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power 
of the people and province that would assault them. 

"And in every province, and in every city, whitherso- 
ever the king's commandment and his decree came the 
Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day." 



190 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Application: When we are in need of blessings what 
do we do first of all? Sometimes we want them very 
badly. What else besides pray, could we do? What 
must go with our fasting and prayer? 



PART II 



STORIES FROM 
THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



FOREWORD 



The coming of Jesus into the world and His blessed 
ministry constitute the crowning and central event of all 
religious history. All dispensations look to the Dispensa- 
tion of Christ. We found that the great object of God's 
training of Ancient Israel was to prepare a people fit 
to receive the Messiah. Teachers should always have 
this truth in mind and use it to connect up the stories 
of Part II with those of Part I. Too often the Old Testa- 
ment Stories are laid aside as if they constituted an in- 
separable unit of material. This should not be. They 
should frequently be recalled to illuminate the New 
Testament Stories. However there stand out very clearly 
and very different from those of the Old Testament 
Stories the following great objectives of the "Stories 
from the Life of Christ :" 

That Jesus born in Bethlehem, is the Son of God; 
that He came to earth to teach by precept and example 
those principles, obedience to which is necessary to gain 
salvation and exaltation ; that He established His church 
and set in it officers and authorities to administer the 
ordinances of the gospel ; that He gave His life as an 
atonement for the sin that brought death into the world 
and banished man from the presence of the Father; that 
He died and became the Savior of the world, the Redeem- 
er of His Father's children, and now stands before the 
Eternal Throne pleading for us. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 



Lesson 1 The Birth of Christ 7 

Lesson 2 The Message of the Shepherds 12 

Lesson 3 The Presentation in the Temple 16 

Lesson 4 The Wise Men of the East . . 20 

Lesson 5 The Flight into Egypt 25 

Lesson 6 The visit to Jerusalem 29 

Lesson 7 John and His Preaching 37 

Lesson 8 Baptism of Jesus 41 

Lesson 9 Cleansing of the Temple 44 

Lesson 10 The Chosen Twelve 48 

Lesson 11 The Sermon on the Mount 53 

Lesson 12 Christ and the Rich Young Man 57 

Lesson 13 The Widow's Mite 61 

Lesson 14 The Blind Mian 65 

Lesson 15 Healing the Centurion's Servant 70 

Lesson 16 A Woman's Faith 74 

Lesson 17 Jesus Raises the Daughter of Jairus 76 

Lesson 18 Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead 81 

Lesson 19 The Lost Sheep 86 

Lesson 20' The Sower 89 

Lesson 21 The Good Samaritan 92 

Lesson 22 Feeding the Five Thousand 95 

Lesson 23 Walking on the WJater 100 

Lesson 24 Stilling the Tempest 103 

Lesson 25 The Woman of Samaria 107 

Lesson 26 Jesus and Nicodemus 110 

Lesson 27 Jesus and John - baptizing 115 

Lesson 28 Jesus Blesses Little Children 118 

Lesson 29 Mary and Martha 122 

Lesson 30 Triumphal Entry , 127 

Lesson 31 The Last Supper 131 

Lesson 32 Jesus' Suffering in the Garden. The Betrayal 

and Arrest 137 

Lesson 33 Crucifixion and Burial 143 

Lesson 34 The Resurrection 150 

Lesson 35 The Ascension 156 

Lesson 36 The Great Pentecost 161 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

Arrival of the Shepherds 15 

Presentation in the Temple 17 

Worship of the Wise Men 22 

Flight into Egypt 26 

The Childhood of Christ 30 

First View of Jerusalem 32 

Christ and the Doctors 35 

Baptism of Jesus 43 

Driving out the Money Changers 46 

Christ and the Fishermen 50 

Sermon on the Mount 54 

Christ and the Rich Young Man 59 

The Widow's Mite 62 

The Blind Man 67 

Christ Healing the Sick 71 

Raising the Daughter of Jairus 78 

Raising of Lazarus : 83 

The Good Shepherd 87 

Christ Teaching from a Boat 91 

The Good Samaritan 94 

Christ Feeding the Multitude 97 

Jesus Walking on the Water 102 

Stilling the Tempest 105 

Jesus and the Woman of Samaria 109 

Jesus and Nicodemus 113 

Christ Blessing Little Children 119 

Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha 124 

Anointing the Feet of Jesus 126 

Christ's Entry into Jerusalem 129 

The Last Supper 133 

Christ in Gathsemane 136 

The Kiss of Judas 138 

Christ Taken Captive 141 

Christ Before Pilate 144 

Entombment 148 

Women at the Tomb 152 

Easter Morning 155 

The Ascension 157 



Stories from the Life of Christ 



LESSON 1. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. 

Text: Luke 1:26-56 and 2:1-7. 

Aifoi: The Lord manifests His love for His children. 

Memory Gem: "For God so loved the world, that 
H^e gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth 
in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 

Song: Christmas Cradle Song. 

Pictures: Annunciation (Hofmann) ; a Madonna. 

Outline : 

I. Prophecies concerning the Savior. 

1. Through Adam. 

2. Through the prophets in Judea. 

II. The Angel's Visit. 

1. The appearance to Mary. 

2. The message. 

3. Mary's joy. 

III. The Journey to Bethlehem. 

1. Caesar Augustus's decree. 

2. H|ome of Joseph and Mary. 

3. On the way to Bethlehem. 

IV. At Bethlehem. 

1. The arrival. 

2. Rest in the khan. 

3. The birth. 

Point of Contact: The baby in the home. Talk with 
the children about the love we have for the baby; what 
we do to show our love. God shows His love for us 
when He sends a baby to our home. Today we are go- 
ing to talk about the most wonderful baby that ever 



8 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 

came to the earth. This baby was the Son of God, the 
only begotten of the Father. God so loved us that He 
sent His only begotten Son to the earth to live among 
us, and to die for the sins of the world. What was 
this baby's name? Yes, today our lesson is about the 
baby Jesus. 

Lesson Statement: When Adam and Eve came to 
live upon this earth, they walked and talked with God ; but 
by-and-by they were shut out from this presence, and 
they were unhappy. A promise was given to them, how- 
ever, which made them rejoice. You remember they were 
told that at some time a Savior should come who would 
die for the sins of the world, who would offer His life as 
a sacrifice for us. 

Adam and Eve and their children never forg-ot this 
promise, so God's people were always looking forward 
to the time when a King and Redeemer should come 
upon the earth. 

Our Heavenly Father sent many prophets to teach 
His people how to serve Him. You remember the 
prophets Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha. Other prophets 
were sent also. These men reminded the people of the 
promise God had made land endeavored to get them to 
serve the Lord. What did the people do? How were 
they pfunished? 

The children of Israel, or Jews, as they were now 
called, had suffered much beacuse they would not obey 
God. Although they were back in their own land, things 
were not the same now as they were before. This land 
was now ruled over by Caesar Augustus, who lived 
away off in Rome, and a king named Herod was ap- 
pointed by him to rule over Judea and all Palestine. 
Herod was a man who loved power and was merciless 
and cruel. He had no love for the Jews or for their 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



9 



religion ; but in order to gain their good will, he spent 
a great deal of money in restoring and beautifying the 
Temple, until it was made even more beautiful than in 
Solomon's reign. But the people knew that Herod was 
a wicked man and they feared him, looking forward to 
the time when their own king should rule in his stead. 
The prophets had often spoken of the Savior as a king; 
and many of the people thought that when Jesus came 
Upon the earth He would be a king, like David or 
Solomon and so they were anxiously waiting His com- 
ing. 

In the city of Nazareth, in one of the small, white, 
flat-roofed houses, there lived a beautiful young woman 
named Mary. She was beloved by every one because 
she was pure and true and lived a beautful God-fearing 
life. One day when Mary was in the house alone she 
was sjurprised by hearing someone speak to her. The 
voice said, "Hail, thou that are highly favored, the Lord 
is with thee: blessed art thou among women." 

When Mary raised her eyes, she saw an angel of 
the Lord before her and she wondered what this saluta- 
tion could mean. 

The angel continued, "Fear not, Mary ; for thou hast 
found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt bring 
forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be 
great, and shall be called the son of the Highest." 

Mary had worked in the Temple; she had also 
studied the scriptures, and when the angel said her son 
should be called the Son of God, she understood this 
wonderful blessing that was conferred upon her. With 
perfect faith and obedience she answered, "Behold the 
handmaid of the Lord ; be it unto me according to thy 
Word. And the angel departed from her." 



10 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



With thanksgiving in her heart Mary waited for 
the fulfillment of the Lord's will. 

Nazareth, the city in which Mary lived, was high 
above the plain, in a beautiful, fertile valley surrounded 
by rolling hills. The white houses along the narrow 
streets, the green of the trees and bushes, and the pro- 
fusion of flowers made a very attractive spot. 

In one of these little white houses lived Mary and 
her husband, Joseph. They were preparing for a jour- 
ney for, as they were of the house of David, they must 
go to the city of David, to Bethlehem, to be taxed; for 
Caesar had sent "out a decree that all the world should 
be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone to his 
own city." They had to travel about sixty miles. That 
would not be a long journey if one could go in a train 
or an automobile or even in a carriage, but these people 
traveled very differently. Joseph would have to walk 
all the way, and Mary would ride upon a donkey, so it 
would take three or four days. 

So, borne upon the back of a donkey, which Joseph 
guided very carefully to avoid the rough places that she 
might ride more easily, Mary came to Bethlehem. But 
for all Joseph's care she was very tired and glad, indeed, 
when they reached their journey's end. Joseph, pushing 
his way through the crowd of people, went to ask if 
there was room for them in the inn. 

How beautiful Mary looked as she . sat there among 
the people ! The noisy throng was hushed as they 
looked upon her. No one knew who she was, but the 
gentle holy light on her face filled the hearts of the 
people with awe and wonder. 

Joseph, returned saying: "There is no room for 
us in the inn, but we can find rest and shelter in the 
cave back of the inn." 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



11 



Joseph guided the donkey through the crowds ol 
people, through the inn gate, across the court, to the 
door of the stable which was built over the front of the 
cave. The guide threw the door open wide for them to 
enter. As they looked around, they saw along the sides 
of the cave the mangers built for the animals. Sweet 
smelling hay was on the floor, and this resting place 
looked very attractive to the weary travelers. 

When darkness lay over the land, and the little 
village was wrapped in slumber, the little Christ Child 
came, the Savior for whom the people had been waiting 
and watching for so many years. 

Application: How (did God show His love for us? 
How do we show our love for God? 

LESSON 2. THE MESSAGE TO THE SHEPHERDS 
Text: Luke 2:8-20. 

References: Weed's, "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chaps. II, III; Ben Hur, XI. 

Aim: ;God manifests His goodness to the humble. 

Memory Gem: "Fear not; * * * For unto you is 
born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is 
Christ the Lord." 

Picture: Arrival of the Shepherds (Lerolle). 

Song: "Shepherds were watching their flocks 
through the night." 

Outline : 

I. The Shepherds. 

1. Their customs. 

2. Their expectation of the Savior. 

II. The Message. 

1. The iwatch. 

2. The heavenly messenger. 



12 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



3. His Message. 

4. The Angels' song of praise. 
III. The Shepherds' Faith. 

1. Journey to Bethlehem. 

2. Worship. 

Point of Contact: Through the child's knowledge 
of sheep and their care in our country lead him to under- 
stand the life }of the shepherds of Palestine. 

Lesson Statement: About two miles southeast of 
Bethlehem, and separated from it by a swell of the moun- 
tain, lies a plain where the shepherds find good pastur- 
age for their flocks. In this plain was a field enclosed by 
a stone wall about as high as a man's head. Within this 
wall a hedge of rhamnus had been planted, thus making 
a very safe refuge for the flocks at night. 

In the very day on which Joseph and Mary found 
their way to Bethlehem, some shepherds led their flocks 
to this plain ; "and from early morning the groves had 
been made to ring with calls, and the blow of axes, the 
bleating of sheep and goats, the tinkling of bells, the 
lowing of cattle, and the barking of dogs. When the 
sun went down, they led the way to the enclosure, and 
by nightfall had everything safe in the field; then they 
kindled a fire by the gate, partook of their humble sup- 
per, and sat down to rest and talk, leaving one on watch." 

These shepherds were rough looking men. Their 
hair stood out from their heads in thick,, coarse, sun- 
burnt shocks; their beards covered their throats and de- 
scended over the breast; each wore a mantle of sheep or 
goatskin girthed at the waist by a learthern belt. Their san- 
dals were of the coarsest material; from the right shoul- 
der of each hung a scrip containing food and stones for 
slings ; on the ground near each lay his crook. 

"Such were the shepherds of Judea! In appearance, 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



13 



rough and savage as 'the gaunt dogs sitting with them 
around the blaze; in fact, simple-minded, tender-hearted; 
effects due, in part, to the primitive life they led, but 
chiefly to their constant care of things lovable and help- 
less." 

The shepherd took the lamb at birth and it became 
his charge; his to name and train; his to guard from 
harm. It became his constant companion. 

On the Sabbath, these rude and simple men were 
wont to purify themselves and go up into the syna- 
gogues, where they listened to the service with great 
reverence, and thought long afterwards upon what they 
had heard. They had heard and believed the promises 
of the Old Testament that the Savior, whom we call 
Jesus, would come. 

While they talked, and before the first watch was 
over, one by one the shepherds fell asleep, each lying 
where he had sat. 

Silence settled over the plain. The watchman walk- 
ed back and forth. Occasionally he heard a stirring 
among the flocks, or a jackal's cry from the mo/untain 
side, but the night wore 'peacefully on. It was a beau- 
tiful clear night. The air was crisp, and the heavens 
sparkled with stars. The hour drew near for the next 
watch, and he made his way toward the place where his 
companions lay sleeping, longing for the dreamless sleep 
that would soon reward his labor. But as he neared the 
dying fire, he saw a bright light breaking around him. 
It grew so bright that he called to his companions : 
"Awake, awake ! The sky is on fire." 

All jumped to their feet, weapons in hand. As they 
stood looking upward, the light became intolerably 
bright. They were filled with fear and sank upon their 
knees and hid their faces upon the earth. But a voice 



14 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



gentle and soothing said unto them,, "Fear not." The 
voice overcame their fear; and as they arose upon their 
knees and looked worshipfully towards the bright light, 
they saw the personage of a man looking upon them 
with love and gentleness. As they gazed, the angel of 
the Lord said unto them, "Fear not; for, behold, I bring 
you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all 
people." 

"For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, 
a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 

"And this shall be a sign unto you ; Ye shall find 
the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a man- 
ger." 

The messenger ceased speaking. His good tidings 
were told. But as he paused he extended his hand to- 
wards them in blessing. Suddenly the light as far up 
as the shepherds could see was filled with angels "prais- 
ing God, and saying, 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will towards men. 

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone 
away from them unto heaven, the shepherds said one to 
another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see 
this thing which is come to pass, which the T ord has 
made known unto us." 

So, trusting their flocks to the care of Him who 
had sent this wondrous vision, the shepherds left the 
field and journeyed by night to the cave at Bethlehem, 
where they found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying 
in a manger. The shepherds knelt reverently and wor- 
shiped the tiny babe. Then, as they returned to their 
flocks, they praised and glorified God for the things that 
they had heard and seen. — Adapted from Ben Hur. 

Application: Our Heavenly Father sent this won- 



16 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



drous vision to these poor humble men. Can you tell 
why? What does it mean to be humble? How do we 
show that we are humble? 



LESSON 3. THE PRESENTATION IN THE 
TEMPLE 

Text: Luke 2: 22-38. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young-," Chap. IV. 

Aim: The divinity of Christ. 

Memory Gem: "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy ser- 
vant depart in peace, * * * for mine eyes have seen Thy 
salvation." 

Picture: Presentation in the Temple. 

Outline: 

I. Joseph and Mary take Jesus to Jerusalem. 

1. Journey from Bethlehem. 

2. The custom. The offering. 

II. In the Temple. 

1. The presentation. 
2 The offering. 

3. Simeon. 

4. Anna. 

5. Mary's jo} y . 

III. Return to Bethlehem. 

Point of Contact: Blessing of our babies at Fast 
Meeting compared with the Jewish custom of naming 
the baby when eight days old. and when six weeks old 
taking it to the Temple to receive a blessing through 
the priest or rabbi. 

Lesson Statement: Joseph and Mary left the khan 
Where Jesus was born and went to a house in the town 
of Bethlehem. 



Rembrant Van Ryn 

Presentation in the Temple 

14 



18 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



The angel had said to Mary, "Thou shalt call his 
name Jesus," and unto Joseph, "Thou shalt call his name 
Jesus and he shall save his people from their sins." The 
name Jesus means Savior. Remembering the angel's 
words Mary and Joseph had Jesus blessed when eight 
days old and named him Jesus. 

According to the Jewish custom, each baby was tak- 
en to the Temple when six weeks old to receive the 
blessing of the priest, or rabbi. "Mary, like other Jewish 
mothers, took Jesus there to show her happiness and 
thankfulness that the little boy had been given to her, 
and that she wished Him to be a child of God, loving, 
obeying, and serving Him as long as He lived." 

Jerusalem was only six miles from Bethlehem; but 
as Joseph would walk all the way, it would probaby take 
about three hours. How would Mary go? This time 
she rode on an ox. Think of her seated upon the ox on a 
cushion saddle with her baby, Jesus, held lovingly in her 
arms. 

As they must reach Jerusalem in time for the morn- 
ing service, they would have to start very early. So we 
may see them leaving the gates of Bethlehem in the light 
of the rising sun on a beautiful spring morning and pass- 
ing slowly along the descending path through orchards 
and gardens, past the khan where Jesus was born, to 
the valley below. Their way then led over a hill on to the 
plain where a pool, or small lake, glistened in the sun. 
Across this plain and then up again the travelers go, and 
now they see the walls of Jerusalem and rising above the 
walls the Temple itself. Up the winding path, through 
the dwarf olive trees, under the gates of the city, along 
the narrow streets, to the g-ates of the Temple. 

It was the law that when a child was brought to the 
Temple a present or offering should be given. This was 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



19 



usually a >pair of doves and a piece of money. So the 
people with their babies and their offerings waited in 
front of the entrance for the notes from the three silver 
trumpets played three times to tell them that it was time 
for the service to begin. Then the gates were opened, 
and Joseph and Mary with many others reverently en- 
tered and, ascending white steps, passed between marble 
pillars of many colors, across a wide marble court, to a 
pure white marble building, where they were met at the 
doors by the white-robed priests. 

Beautiful music told the people when the time came 
to bring the babies to the Rabbi. Joseph and Mary moved 
forward with Jesus, in appearance so like the other 
babies, and yet so unlike all other children, because He 
was the Son of God, the Savior of all. 

Joseph gave the doves and handed the money he 
had brought to the priest, then bowed in prayer, saying, 
"Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the uni- 
verse." The priest took the coin and passing it arojund 
the baby Jesus' head, upon which he put his hands, said, 
"God keep thee from all evil, and save thy soul." 

Now there was in Jerusalem a good and devout man, 
named Simeon, who had been promised that he should 
live to see the Son of God. "And he came by the Spirit 
into the temple," and he took Jesus up in his arms and 
blessed God, and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant 
depart in peace * * * for mine eyes have seen thy 
salvation." He told many marvelous things concerning 
Jesus. 

Then Anna, a prophetess of great age who served 
God in the Temple night and day, coming up at that 
hour, gave thanks unto the Lord and spoke of Jesus as 
the Redeemer of Israel. 

Joseph and His mother marveled at those things, 



20 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



which were spoken of Him ; and Mary treasured them in 
her heart as she returned over the road which she had 
traveled early in the morning, back to the little house in 
Bethlehem. 

Application: How was Jesus unlike the other babies 
blessed in the Temple that day? What does His name 
mean? When should we use His name? 



LESSON 4. THE WISE MEN OF THE EAST. 
Text: Matt. 2: 1-12. 

References: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," V; Ben Hur, Book First, I, V, XII, XIV. 

Aim: God rewards earnest effort in search of truth. 

Memory Gem: "Where is He that is born king of 
the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are 
come to worship Him." 

Pictures: Star of Bethlehem (Dore) ; The Magi 
(Hofmann). 

Outline : 

I. The Wise Men. 

1. Their learning. 

a. Science 

b. Scripture. 

2. Their journey. 

3. Their question. 

II. Herod. 

1. His fear. 

2. Questions chief priests and scribes. 
3 Sends for wise men. 

4. The meeting. 

III. Search rewarded. 

1. Guided to house. 

2. Gifts and worship. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



21 



3. Divine interposition. 

Point of Contact: Children go to school to get 
wise — to learn about all the beautiful things in this 
world; but there are so many things to learn that even 
the wisest men do not know everything. Some men 
spend their lives studying and learn a great deal. They 
might be called wise men. 

Lesson Statement: (In some way many of us have 
the idea that wise men were guided to the cave and 
found Jesus in the manger where the shepherds saw 
Him. It is told in "Ben Hur," and some artists have so 
painted it. But in Mathew we read, "And when they were 
come into the house." They probably saw the star when 
Jesus was born and the time elapsing between His birth 
and their arrival was spent in traveling from their coun- 
try.) 

In the countries far east of Palestine, at the time 
of the birth of Christ, there lived men called Magi, or 
wise men of the east, who spent their time in studying 
the stars. 

When the angels came from heaven to visit the 
shepherds on the plain, a new, bright star was seen in 
the heavens by these wise men in their far away country. 
They had read in the Jewish scriptures of a King or Re- 
deemer who had been promised to the world; and when 
this new star appeared, the Spirit of God made known 
unto them that the King who had been promised so long 
ago had at last come to bless the earth. 

So, seated upon large, white camels, and taking with 
them the rich gifts which they intended to present to 
the King, they journeyed through fertile plains, over 
mountain trails, along the course of rivers, and under 
the scorching sun, over the dry, desolate sands of the des- 



Worship of the Wise Men 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



23 



ert. Then past the snowy ridge of Hermon and the blue 
water of the Sea of Galilee, through the valley of the 
Jordan and the fertile plains of Esdraelon, over the hills 
and highlands of Judea, they came at last to Jerusalem. 

At the gate of the city they inquired : "Where is He 
that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His 
star in the east, and are come to worship Him." 

This question drew the attention of the people and 
soon it was noised abroad that strangers had arrived 
from the east inquiring for "Him who is born King of 
the Jews." The news spread throjugh the city, at length 
reaching even to the palace of the king. When Herod 
heard it, he "gathered all the chief priests and scribes 
of the people together, and demanded of them where 
Christ should be born." 

"And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea : 
for thus it is written by the prophet." 

Then King Herod sent his messenger to tell the 
wise men to come to him. Glad, indeed, were they to 
receive this message ; and they arose at once and followed 
the messenger through the narrow streets of the city to 
the palace, then through the gates of the palace and into 
the palace itself. Along wide corridors, up fights of 
sitairs, past many beautiful rooms, the guide led them, 
till at last he halted and, pointing to an open door, said, 
"The king is there. Enter." 

Passing through the door, they found themselves 
in a very large room, richly furnished. On the center 
of the floor a rug was spread, and on this rug was the 
throne upon which sat King Herod, dressed in a robe 
of royal purple, with a crown (upon his head. The Magi 
advanced to the edge of the rug and bowed to the 
ground before the king. 

When he had inquired of them when the star ap- 



24 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



peared, he said unto them, "I have this night consulted 
the Jewish priests, and they say with one voice that 
He is to be born in Bethlehem of Judea. Go and search 
diligently for the voting child ; and when ye have found 
Him, bring me word again, that I may come and wor- 
ship Him also." 

The Magi returned to the khan, where their camels 
were in readiness, and at once set out for Bethlehem. 
As they journeyed along the road, "lo, the star, which 
they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and 
stood over where the young child was. 

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceed- 
ing great joy. 

"And when they were come into the house, they 
saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell 
down, and worshiped Him ; and when they had opened 
their treasures, they presented unto Him gilts; gold, and 
frankincense, and myrrh." 

Frankincense and myrrh were sweet-smelling spices, 
and were among the most precious things in their coun- 
try. 

The object of their journey was accomplished, and 
now they must return to their own land, traveling again 
the long, dreary road over which they had come. 

But before starting homeward they intended to go 
back to Jerusalem and tell Herod that they had found the 
Child whom they sought. But at night, "being warned 
of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, 
they departed into their own country another way." 

Application: "Our Heavenly Father has said, "If 
any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God * * * and 
it shall be given him." 

Who helped the Wise Men find the Savior? What 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



25 



can we do to get wisdom, to learn? Study. Ask for God's 
aid in prayer. 

LESSON 5. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. 
Text: Matt. 2:13-23. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. VI. 

Aim: Obedience to the promptings of the Spirit of 
the Lord brings protection. 

Memory Gem: "Arise, and take the young child 
and His Mother, and flee into Egypt." 

Pictures: Flight into Egypt; Repose in Egypt. 

Outline : 

I. H'erod's attempt to destroy Jesus. 

1. His power. 

2. His hatred. 

II. Joseph's dream. 

1. The warning. 

2. The angel's instructions. 

III. The Journey to Egypt. 

1. Departure. 

a. Time. 

b. Mode of travel. 

2. Arrival in Egypt. 

3. Sojourn in Egypt. 

IV. The return to the Land of Israel. 

1. "Out of Egypt have I called my Son." 

2. Angel's message. 

3. Retiurn. 

4. Arrival at Nazareth. 

Point of Contact and Lesson Statement: Nearly 
everybody loves little babies. Do you not love the baby 
in your home? Who were some of the people who 




Flight into Egypt 



Plockhurst 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



27 



loved the Baby Jesus? He was the most wonderful 
and perfect baby that was ever born. Can you imagine 
anyone wanting to harm Him? And yet, there was 
the wicked King Herod who had heard Jesus called 
King of the Jews, and it had made him jealous. He 
was afraid that when Jesus grew to be a man, He would 
want to sit on his throne and be king instead of him. 
Now, Jesus came to save the people and he did not want 
to sit in Herod's place. But Herod listened to the wicked 
spirit which prompted him to send out a cruel decree, 
that all children under two years of age should be killed. 
But although Herod was great and powerful, he could 
not harm the baby Jesus, for the Heavenly Father was 
watching over Him. 

When the wise men had left them, Joseph and 
Mary were filled with happiness ; for was not this another 
proof of the divine mission of the precious baby en- 
trusted to their care? But they were not to remain in 
peace in Bethlehem, for during the night an angel of 
the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, 
and take the young child and his mother, and flee unto 
Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word ; for 
Herod will seek the young child, to destroy Him." 

Joseph obeyed the heavenly messenger at once. 
Going to Mary he said, "Make haste! Prepare for a jour- 
ney. We must leave Bethlehem at once. Herod seeks 
to destroy the child." 

Mary's rejoicing over the adoration of her babe 
must have been turned to fear when she found that the 
king so|ught His life. 

How anxious she must have been to start on the 
journey when every hour took her loved one farther 
away from, those who would hurt Him! 

"Before the morning dawned they were on their 



28 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



way. They would not forget the house which for a 
while had been their home, as they hurriedly took from 
it their few garments and the presents the Magi had 
given them. 

Mary, riding on the gentle and patient beast, carry- 
ing her precious child, hiding Him as well as she could 
for fear one of Herod's men might be lurking near, and 
Joseph walking by their side, passed through the gate 
of Bethlehem. Starting while the morning star was 
yet in sight, they would be reminded of the Star of 
Bethlehem, which had guided the Wise Men to the 
spot they were leaving. They would remember that 
the same God had set both stars in the sky, and warned 
the Wise Men to go one way, and then to flee in an- 
other would be their guide. 

"And so the long journey of eighty miles began. It 
must be slow, only as fast as the beast could carry his 
burden, and Joseph could walk. But every hour of the 
day carried them farther from Herod and so lessened 
their fears. 

"For a while they went up and down steep moun- 
tain roads, between vineyards and groves, looking upon 
the green grass, and smelling the sweet flowers of spring. 
But in a few days all was changed for the hot, dreary, 
sandy desert, where nothing grew except a few low 
shrubs and sometimes a grove of palms. Under the 
shade of such, or of some lonely rock which the drifting 
sands did not cover, they rested. 

"At last the waters of the blue Mediterranean Sea 
were a pleasing contrast to the yellow sands of the 
desert. Crossing a shallow stream they rejoiced as they 
remembered that they had passed from the country of 
the dreaded Herod into the land of Egypt, whose king 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



29 



they need not fear." (From Weed's "A Life of Christ 
for the Young.") 

Here in a little village they found a friendly home 
for three or four months. 

"But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of 
the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 

"Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his 
mother, and gol into the land of Israel ; for they are 
dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, 
and took the young child and His mother, and came into 
the land of Israel." 

While they no doubt enjoyed the quiet sojourn in 
Egypt, they rejoiced to be once more in their own land. 
Joseph moved toward the little town of Bethlehem, but, 
"being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into 
the parts of Galilee." 

"And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth." 

You remember Nazareth is the small town in the 
mountains of Galilee, encircled by fifteen rounded hills. 

In one of the small white, flat-roofed houses they 
made their home. And here Jesus spent His childhood. 

Application: Hjow did Joseph know that Herod 
wished to harm Jesus? The Spirit of God is called also 
the Holy Ghost. Wnen do we receive the Holy Ghost? 
What mfust we do so that the Spirit of God or Hjoly 
Ghost will help us? 

LESSON 6. THE VISIT TO JERUSALEM. 
Text: Luke 2:40-52. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chaps. VII, VIII, IX, X. 

Aim: We all have missions to perform and should 
qualify to acomplish them acceptably. 



The Childhood of Christ 



TTo fman n 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



31 



Memory Gem: "How is it that ye sought me? 
Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's busi- 
ness ?" 

Pictures: The Childhood of Jesus: Jesus's First 
View of Jerusalem ; the journey to Jerusalem ; Christ and 
the Doctors. 

Outline! : 
I. Childhood of Jesus. 

1. Nazareth. 

2. Home life. 

3. Joseph's occupation. 
1,1. The Yearly Feast. 

1. Journey to Jerusalem. 

2. Celebration of the feast. 

III. Jesus in the Temple. 

1. Joseph and Mary start homeward. 

2. Return to Jerusalem. 

3. Find Jesus in the Temple. 

a. With the doctors. 

b. Mary's question. 

c. His answer. 

IV. Return to Nazareth. 

Point of Contact: What do you boys and girls do 
to help your mothers and fathers? What more can you 
do when you grow older? The Bible tells us very little 
about Jesus as a child, but because He was kind, loving, 
and gentle when a man, we know He was a kind, loving, 
gentle, and obedient boy. 

Lesson Statement: The country where Jesus lived is 
often called the Holy Land. In the northern part of the 
Holy Land is Nazareth in a valley high in the moun- 
tains and surrounded by fifteen rounded hills. You re- 
member this was Mary's home and to Nazareth Joseph 
and Mary took Jesus after their return from Egypt. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



33 



Nazareth was a beautiful little village. Sometimes 
called "Flowery" from the many flowers which grew 
in the valley and on the surrounding hills. Also called 
the "White City" because so many of the houses were 
of white stone. These were square one room buildings 
with a door to the street. A stairway on the outside led 
to the flat-roof which was also used as a room. Some 
times the people sat upon the roof in the cool of the 
evening, often the quilts which served as beds were car- 
ried here, and here the family slept. 

The room below contained no furniture. Shelves 
were arranged around the walls and upon these the quilts 
were placed in the daytime. The room was lighted dur- 
ing the day by a slit in the wall, for there were no win- 
dows ; and at night by the dim light from a lamp sus- 
pended from the center of the ceiling. 

In such a home, Jesus lived. Here he received His 
first lessons of God the Father. It was of Him that the 
mother spoke and sang to the child while yet she carried 
Him in her arms. Seated at her knee, EPe was told of 
our Heavenly Father's love and mercy; and He listened 
to the beautiful stories of Ruth and David. The con- 
versation at work and at meals was of the Father. At 
school He studied the Scriptures, and each Sunday He at- 
tended the synagogue to learn still more of God the 
Father. 

So let us think of Jesus growing up in this happy 
home, kind, loving, gentle, and obedient ; always doing 
His part to help others, whether it be to bring water 
from the well for His mother or to assist Joseph in the 
work of the carpenter shop. Often He must have climbed 
the beautiful hills carpeted with poppies, tulips, daisies, 
and lilies, and played in the shade of the palm, cypress, 
and olive trees. 

15 



34 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



In the spring of the year there was great excitement 
in the home of Nazareth for the people were preparing 
for the religious feast of the Passover held at Jerusalem. 
In the home of Joseph and Mary the interest and re- 
joicing were great indeed, for this year Jesus was to go 
for the first time. He was now twelve years old and 
so was allowed to take part in the religious ceremony. 

With His heart filled with gladness He would join 
the procession of pilgrims going to Jerusalem. The peo- 
ple from Nazareth wound down the narrow rugged path 
to the plain below where they were joined by many oth- 
ers going on the same journey. Some rode on camels, 
horses, or donkeys, but many walked. On the way they 
passed through villages much like Nazareth, and at each 
village the caravan was enlarged by other pilgrims. 

As this great procession moved onward, music en- 
livened their journey, and many voices joined in singing 
the songs of praise. At night they rested beside a well 
or fountain, and again resumed their journey before 
sunrise. Over hills and through valleys, past orchards 
and cornfields, until on the fourth day they came in sight 
of Jeruslaem "shining white in the sunlight on its sacred 
hills." Then a glad shout of hosanna was raised, and, 
"amid the inspiring chorus of thousands of voices," the 
gates of the city were reached. 

To the young boy of twelve the city of Jerusalem 
must have been a source of revelation and wonder. The 
large buildings ; the narrow streets crowded with many 
people from many different countries, were new and in- 
teresting; but what inspired this boy with the deepest in- 
terest and reverence was the Temple, the Holy House of 
God. It was built on a hill and arose terrace upon ter- 
race in a succession of courts surrounded by walls and 



36 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



connected by flights of steps, and could be seen from 
many parts of the city. 

Here the feast of the Passover wojuld be held. To 
the Holy House, the House of God, would go the many 
pilgrims, for was it not to attend the feast of the Pass- 
over which lasted for seven days that they had made the 
long journey? Here Jesus would go with the other wor- 
shipers to* learn more of God and to worship and praise 
Him. Although so young He was beginning to under- 
stand the greatness of His mission and His desire was 
to learn. 

The rabbis, or doctors, men who had spent much 
time in studying the Scriptures, held daily in one of the 
courts of the Temple a school where those who wished 
mighj't be' 'taught. To this school Jesufe often went. 

When the feast was over the caravan started back on 
the road to Nazareth, but "the child Jesus tarried behind 
in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of 
it. 'But they, supposing Him to have been in the com- 
pany, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among 
their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found 
Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking 
Him. 

"And it came to pass, that after three days they 
found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the 
doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. 
And all that heard Him were astonished at His under- 
standing and answers. 

"And when they saw Him, they were amazed ; and 
His mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt 
with us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sor- 
rowing. 

"And He said unto them, How is it that yo!u sought 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



37 



me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's 
business? 

"And they understood not the saying' which He 
spake unto them. 

"And He went down with them, and came to Naz- 
areth, and was subject unto them; but His mother kept 
all these sayings in her heart. 

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in 
favour with God and man." 

Application: We all have work to do for our 
Heavenly Father, although not so great a work as Jesus 
had. What do the boys do for Him when they are twelve 
years old? (Just the same age as Jesus was in the 
Temple.) They are deacons and have duties to perform. 
One duty is passing the Sacrament. How happy you 
boys will be when you are old enough to do that work 
for our Heavenly Father! When you grow still older, 
what other work may you have to do? If you wish to 
do your work well, what must you do now? 



LESSON 7. JOHN AND HIS PREACHING 

Text: Luke 1:5-25; 1:57-80; Matt. 3:1-12; Mark 
1 :l-8. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chaps. XI, XII. 

Suggestive Aim: Repentance is essential to salva- 
tion. 

Memory Gem: "Repent ye for the kingdom of 
heaven is at hand." 

Time: Shortly before the birth of Christ. 



38 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Outline : 

I. John's Birth. 

1. Circumstances. 

2. The naming. 

3. Mission foretold. 

II. John's Early Life. — His Preparation. 

III. John's Mission. 

1. To preach repentance. 

2. To baptize by water. 

3. To prepare for Christ's ministry. 

4. How received. 

Point of Contact: A kingdom is a country usually 
ruled over by a king and queen. This is an earthly king- 
dom. There is a Heavenly Kingdom ruled over by Jesus. 
Pie does not rule like an earthly king or queen, but He 
rules over all the good spirits in- heaven and earth. We 
all want to belong to Jesus's kingdom, or the King- 
dom of Heaven. Today we are going to find out what 
we must first do before we can belong" to this kingdom. 

Lesson Statement: Before the birth of Jesus our 
Savior, before the angels brought the glad news to the 
shepherds, in a city of Judea there lived a priest named 
Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth, both righteous God- 
fearing people. But in the home they were lonely : there 
were no little" boys or girls — they had never had any 
children to bless and comfort them. What do you think 
they wanted more than anything else? 

One day, as Zacharias was burning, incense in the 
Temple of the Lord, and a whole multitude of people 
were praying without, there appeared unto him an angel 
of the Lord, standing- on the right side of the altar of 
incense. "When Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, 
and fear fell upon him." 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



39 



"But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias ; 
for thy prayer is heard ; and thy wife Elizabeth shall 
bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 
And thou shalt. have joy and gladness ; and many shall 
rejoice at his birth." 

The angel also said that John should go before 
Jesus to make ready the hearts of the people, that they 
might receive the Savior when He should come. 

"And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall 
I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well 
stricken in years." 

"And the angel, answering said unto him, I am 
Gabriel, that stands in the presence of God ; and am 
sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad 
tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able 
to speak, until the day that these things shall be per- 
formed, because thou believest not my words, which 
shall be fulfilled in their season." 

"And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled 
that he tarried so long in the Temple. And when he 
came out, he could not speak unto them; and they 
perceived that he had seen a vision in the Temple ; for 
he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless." 

The angel's words were fulfilled, and by and by a 
little babe came to bless the home of Elizabeth and 
Zacharias. When the baby was eight days old, and ac- 
cording to Jewish custom was to receive a name, the 
friends called him Zacharias, after his father. "And his 
mother answered, and said, Not so; but he shall be 
called John." And when they turned to Zacharias he 
wrote upon a paper, "His name is John." "And his 
moiuth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, 
and he spake, and praised God." 

The angel had promised that John should be 



40 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



filled with the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of God, from 
his birth. He grew and waxed strong in spirit, and as 
he grew to manhood, he wanted to prepare himself for 
the great work which our Heavenly Father had given 
him to do. He was a holier man than the people about 
him, and he was saddened by their sins. He wanted to 
be alone that he might know the will of God and pray 
to Him continuously, so he left his home and went into 
the wilderness, where he lived for we know not how 
many years. 

A wilderness is a lonely place where no people live. 
So we may think of John in the mountains of Palestine, 
in the day time wandering on the slopes or seated by 
a stream eating the honey found in the rocks or tree 
trunks, and at night making his bed upon the ground, 
with wild beasts and birds for his only companions. 
His clothes were of a coarse cloth called camel's hair, 
and he wore a leathern girdle about the hips. 

When Jesus had grown to be a man and the time 
Was near for Him to begin His ministry, John left the 
wilderness and began to preach. He told the people that 
the Savior who had been promised for so long would 
come among them; and that if they would be ready to re- 
ceive Him, they must repent of their sins. He said, "Re- 
pent ye; for the kingdom of H(eaven is at hand." He 
spoke with such earnestness and power that many be- 
lieved. Then He told them that they must be baptized, 
and many were baptized, confessing their sins. But John 
said unto them, "I indeed baptize you with water unto 
repentance, but He that cometh after me is mightier than 
I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear." 

Application: What is meant by repentance? We 
must feel very sorry about our sins and never do 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



41 



them any more. What must we all do before we can be- 
long to the Kingdom of Heaven? 

After we have repented, what must we do? 
. We will speak more about baptism next Sunday. 



LESSON 8. BAPTISM OF JESUS. 

Text: Matt. 3:5-17; Mark 1:1-12. 

Aim: Baptism is essential to salvation 

Memory Gem: "And Jesus, when He was baptized, 
went up straightway out of the water; and lo, the 
heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit 
of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him! 
and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved 
Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

Picture: The Baptism of Jesus (Weberg). 

Outline : 

I. John at the River Jordan. 

1. Baptizes the multitude. 

2. Condemns insincerity. 

II. Jesus comes to John. 

1. His request for baptism. 

2. John acknowledges Jesus's superiority. 
Ill The Baptism. 

1. Its necessity. 

2. The mode. 
IV. God's approval. 

1. The Holy Ghost in the sign of a dove, descending 
upon Jesus. 

2. His voice from heaven. 

Point of Contact: Talk with the children about any 
body of water which they have seen. If there is a child 
in the class who has been baptized, have him tell about 
it. Then, from this beginning, draw a mind picture 



42 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



of John baptizing in the river Jordan. What did John 
teach the people was necessary before baptism? 

Lesson Statement: Many people were baptized by 
John in the River Jordan. But some of the people who 
came and asked for baptism had not really repented of 
their sins, and by the Spirit of God John knew this. So 
he said unto them, "Bring forth fruits meet for repent- 
ance." Show by your actions that yolu have repented, 
and do not think that because you have descended from 
Abraham that you will be saved. You must do Avhat is 
right yourselves. 

One day when John was preaching to a crowd 
of people on the banks of the River Jordan, a stranger 
came to him and asked to be baptized. By the power 
of the Holy Spirit John knew this stranger to be Jesus, 
the Son of God. He knew that Jesus was without sin, 
and he did not feel that he was worthy to baptize Him. 

Jesus was a man now. He had just left His house 
in Nazareth and was ready to begin His ministry, but 
before doing so, He came to John for baptism. 

When Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan, unto 
John, to be baptized of him, "John forbade him, saying. 
I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest thou to 
me?" 

"And Jea(us answering said unto him, Suffer it to 
be so now : for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteous- 
ness. Then he suffered him." 

Think of Jesus and John standing near the river, 
where they were talking, then going into the water 
where John raises one hand over Jesus' head and then, 
taking him by the hands, buries Him under the water 
and draws him up again. We know that Jesus was bap- 
tized in this way, because the Bible says "Jesus, when 



44 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water : 
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him and he saw 
the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting 
upon him : And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is 
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

Jesais, after His baptism, went from the Jordan into 
the wilderness where He could be alone to pray to His 
Heavenly Father before beginning His great work. 

"He went up straightway out of the water." What 
does this tell us about the mode of baptism? 

Application: In this lesson emphasize the fact that 
Jesus was baptized to show us the way to enter His king- 
dom. No one can enter it unless he is baptized. How was 
Jesus baptized? Of course He would be baptized in the 
right way. Do any of the children know of any one 
who has been baptized in the same way? Have any 
of you? Tell how you were baptized. Then you were 
baptized just as Jesus was — the right way; and if you 
live in the right way, you can enter the Kingdom of 
Heaven. 

At what age are children Baptized? 

After you are baptized what must be done to make 
you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- 
day Saints? 

How will the Holy Ghost help you? 

How must we live in order to keep the Holy Ghost, 
or the Spirit of God? 

LESSON 9. CLEANSING THE TEMPLE. 

Text: John 2:12-16. 

Reference:. Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. XVII. 

Aim: Reverence for sacred places. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



45 



Memory Gem : "Take these things hence ; make not 
My Father's House an house of merchandise." 

Picture: Casting Out the Money Changers (Hof- 
mann). 

Outline: 

I. The Temple of Jerusalem. 

1. Its beauty. 

2. Its uses. 

3. To whom it belonged. 

II. Jesus's Visit to Jerusalem. 

1. Purpose of visit. 

2. Journey. 

III. His visit to the Temple. 

1. The conditions He found. 

2. How He felt. 

3. What He did. 

IV. Our places of worship. 

1. By_whom built? Why? 

2. How we should regard them. 

Point of Contact: Begin this lesson with a talk 
about the home life, with father and mother at the head. 
Show that each has his .place in the home and ought to 
add to its happiness. Get the children to tell what they 
can do. From the home lead to the house of worship, 
then to the temples. Speak of houses of worship and 
temples as houses of the Lord. Speak of righl^ conduct 
in these places. 

What building in Jerusalem was a House of the 
Lord? Who first built this Temple? Tell what you 
can about Solomon's Temple. What are temples for? 
When a building is built for worship and is a House of 
God, it should always be treated with reverence. 

Lesson Statement: After Jesus had been baptized, 



46 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 




. . Hofmann 

riving out the Money Changers 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



47 



He was then ready to do the work His Father had sent 
Him to do — to teach the people what was right and what 
was wrong. Naturally, much of His work would be in 
the largest city in that country. What is that city? What 
can you tell of Christ's first visit there? 

When Jesus came from the wilderness, where He 
had spent many days in fasting and prayer, He returned 
to Galilee, near the home of His childhood. As the 
time for the feast of the Passover drew near, He join- 
ed the caravan of pilgrims going to Jerusalem?. While 
journeying thither He no doubt recalled the first visit 
to Jerusalem. Then He was going to the temple as a 
learner; now He was going to the temple as the Great 
Teacher. And so, with His thoughts upon His great mis- 
sion, He came to the House of God. What would He 
expect to find here? 

Around the grounds of the temple was a high wall. 
AVithin this wall was the court of the temple. As Jesus 
passed through the gate, a scene of noise and confusion 
met Has eye. He saw oxen, sheep, cages filled with doves, 
tables piled with money. The men were offering their 
wares for sale, and the noise filled the court. 

The animals were offered as sacrifices in the temple, 
and the people coming from different countries wished 
to change their money for the Jewish money. But these 
people had forgotten the sacredness of the temple, and 
were within the court of the temple which should have 
been held as sacred as the temple itself. 

When Jesus saw this confusion in the House of 
God, He made a scourge of small cords, drove them 
that sold oxen and sheep and doves out of the temple, 
with their animals, and poured out the changers' money, 
and overthrew the tables. And He. said unto them, 



48 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



"Take these things hence; make not my Father's house 
an house of merchandise," After long years the temple 
was once more sacred to God. 

Show Hofmann's "Casting Out the Money Chang- 
ers." Contrast Jesus's expression with that of the others. 

Application: Why was Jesus angry? 

How do we show reverence? 

Have you ever been in the House of God? 

If you have reverence for that house, what will you 
do there? 

Can you tell of any way in which you can show 
reverence for your chapel? Is there anything you can 
do from now on that you have not been doing? Have 
you noticed any markings or cuts on your building or 
on anything in it that do not show reverence? We 
wish our gifts to be as clean and beautiful as possible. 
We want the House of the Lord to be in that condition. 



LESSON 10. THE CHOSEN TWELVE 

Text: Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16; Matt. 4:18-22; 

10. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chaps. XIII, XXV. 

Aim: The Lord's work is the greatest work a man 
can be called to do. 

Memory Gem: "Freely have ye received, freely 
give." 

Song: 'Til serve the Lord while I am young," 
Deseret Sunday School Songs, No. 159. 
Picture: Christ and the Fishermen. 
Outline : 

I. The Magnitude of Christ's work. 
1. Help needed. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



49 



2. The disciples 

3. Prayers to His Father. 

II. The Calling of the Apostles. 

1. Their ordination. 

2. Kind of men chosen. 

3. Their duties. 

III. The Organization of God's Church. — President and 
Apostles. 

Point of Contact and Lesson Statement: When Jesus 
was upon the earth, He taught the people to be kind, 
loving, and helpful. He taught them many other 
things. But what they liked most of all was to hear 
about the Heavenly Father, and JesUs was always ready 
and willing to tell them. He worked very hard healing 
the sick, preaching to the people, and walking from town 
to town, for in those days there were no trains. Often 
Jesus walked until His feet were so tired and sore that 
He could go no farther. But even with working thus 
hard, there were so many people to help and to teach, 
that He could not do it all. He was, oh, so anxious 
that everyone should know how to serve God. What 
must He do? Yes, He must have helpers. 

He had already gathered around Him a goodly com- 
pany of disciples, some of whom had left home and 
friends to follow Him. One day John the Baptist said 
to two men, who were with him when Jesus passed by, 
"Behold the Lamb of God." These words sank deep into 
their hearts; and they knew that Jesus was the Christ, so 
they followed Him and "abode with him that day." 

One of these visitors was named John, and we shall 
often hear of him in our lesson; the other was named 
Andrew. Both John and Andrew were fishermen. They 
took their nets and went out in the waters of the Sea 
of Galilee and caught fish which they sold to the people. 

16 



u 

CD 

CD 



T3 



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51 



After being with Jesus, John and Andrew probably 
hastened home to tell the glad news to their families. 
Andrew said to his brother Peter, "We have found the 
Christ." This was indeed glad news to Peter. For he 
and Andrew with other devout Israelites, you know, 
were always looking forward to His coming, and talking 
of the promised Messiah. So, as they pushed their boat 
out from the shore one morning, we may be pretty sure 
that their thoughts were about Jesus. 

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw the 
two brothers casting a net into the sea, "and He saith 
unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of 
men. And they straightaway left their nets, and followed 
Him." 

"And going on from thence, He saw other two 
brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John, his 
brother, in a ship with Zebedee, their father, mending 
their nets; and He called them. 

"And they immediately left the ship and their father, 
and followed Him." 

Why were they willing to go? 

What did they leave? 

What would Jesus give them? 

Which did they love best — the Gospel or the com- 
forts of life? 

How do we show our love for the Gospel ? 

Help the children to understand that in serving 
those around us we show our love of God and serve 
Him. 

So these four men, Peter, James, John and Andrew, 
left their home, their mothers and fathers, their broth- 
er^ and sisters — left all to be with Jesus. As Jesus 
journeyed with His companions, He called other men 



52 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



also, until He had with Him several followers. All who 
believed Jesus's words and listened to His teachings 
were called His disciples. 

But now the time had come when Jesus needed 
men to help Him in His ministry; men whom He could 
send out to teach the word of God ; men who would 
Stand with Him at the head of the church. Do you 
suppose there was anyone good enough to do this? 
Certainly they must be men who would do their best, 
for He was to tell them the very things God told Him. 
How was He to know who these would be? Yes, He 
must pray to the Heavenly Father just as we would. "It 
came to pass in those days that He went out into a 
mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to 
God." 

The Bible does not say, but I am sure that when 
He was all alone there on the mountain, with the stars 
shining above and nothing to disturb Him, the Heavenly 
Father must have told Him which men to choose. "In 
the early dawn He came down from the mountain, with 
the dews of night upon His garments and with the dews 
of heaven upon His soul, which, like crystals or lenses 
of light, made the invisible and distant near." 

Then, from among His disciples, He chose twelve to 
be special helpers. These He called apostles. They 
were none of them wealthy men, but all were honest, 
true, and courageous, and loved Him with all their 
hearts. Peter, Andrew, James and John were among 
the chosen ones. 

Hie then ordained and set them apart that they 
might be with Him and that He might send them forth 
to preach and to heal in His name. They were to go 
without money and were to teach all the people whether 
they were treated kindly or not. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



53 



Jesus kept these twelve men near Him all the re- 
mainder of His life, teaching them His gospel and show- 
ing them how to carry on His work after He left them 
to return to His Father in heaven. 

Application: Have you ever heard of apostles be- 
fore? .Where? Who is at the head of our Church now? 
President Heber J. Grant has with him, in his labors, 
twelve apostles, the same as Christ had. Do you know 
any of them? 

When upon the earth Jesus organized His church, 
and when in our day Jesius told Joseph Smith to organ- 
ize H|is church, it was to be just the same as when Jesus 
Was upon the earth, for our Church is the Church of 
Jesus Christ. 

LESSON 11. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 
Text: Matt. 5 and 6. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chaps. XXVI, XLVI. 

Aim: True happiness ^omes from) the Christian 
spirit of love, peace, and forgiveness. 

Memory Gem: One or more of the beatitudes. 

Picture: The Sermon on the Mount (Hofmann). 

Outline: 
I. The Multitude. 

1. The gathering. 

2. The healing. 
II The Sermon. 

1. Beatitudes. (Select a few and illustrate.) 

2. The Lord's prayer. 

Point of Contact and Lesson Statement: One day 

while Jesus and His disciples were upon the moun- 
tain, perhaps talking about their work and planning 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



55 



how best to teach the people, a great crowd gathered. 
In it were the blind, the lame, the sick, and the sor- 
rowing, all coming to be healed and comforted. There 
were so many that Jesus could not bless each one sep- 
arately, so they crowded around Him and all who touch- 
ed Him were healed. Besides being sick, these people 
were unhappy because they quarreled and did not 
love each other as they should. He could read their 
hearts, and He knew they needed to be taught how to 
live so that they might please their Heavenly Father. 

From the mountain side He began to teach the peo- 
ple. His discourse has been called "The Sermon on 
the Mount," and it was so wonderful a sermon that if 
we could only obey the teachings given in it, we would 
become like unto Hjm. 

He began His teaching by telling them who would 
receive the blessings of bur Heavenly Father. 

His sayings that day are called "Beatitudes," which 
means happiness. He told the people to be happy them- 
selves by making others happy and by serving the 
Heavenly Father. To do this, they must be humble 
merciful, just, and not get angry or speak evil of anyone. 

Do you think this would always be easy, especially 
if someone had been unkind to them? How can we be 
humble and merciful? 

One of these Beatitudes is, "Blessed are the pure 
in heart, for they shall see God." What does "pure in 
heart" mean? Just think what a promise — "they shall 
see God." Let us repeat it all. Who are the "pure in 
heart?" Can we not all try to be, for such a promise 
as that? Who can say it all now? 

Another of the Beatitudes is, "Blessed are the peace- 
makers, for they shall be called the children of God," 



56 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



What is a peacemaker? Is there just one way of 
being a peacemaker? In what way could even little 
children be peacemakers. 

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be 
called the children of God," If we are really peace- 
makers, will it make. other people happy? Will it be 
pleasing to God? Then how will we ourselves feel to 
be called the children of God? 

If we always do according to these sayings, we will 
be doing another thing Jesus told us to do. "Whatso- 
ever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even 
so to them," and then we will surely be happy. Let us 
repeat those words and learn them. 

Jesus taught them not only to pray, but He taught 
them how to pray. He told them to go alone by them- 
selves, to speak with quiet, gentle voices, and to be earn- 
est and sincere in all they said. He taught them a pray- 
er that is used all over the world, now, by people 
who love Jesus. It begins — "Our Father which art in 
heaven." What is the name of that prayer? Hpw 
many of you know it? I will say it, then you repeat it 
after me. Why do we say, "Our Father which art in 
heaven?" Jesus taught us that He really is our Father. 
He is better than any earthly father and can do more 
for 'us. He hears and answers our prayers and gives 
us all things that are for our good. 

"Hallowed" means holy. 

"Thy kingdom come" means we want everyone to 
obey God's laws on this earth as Christ taught us. 

"Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." 
Explain the two ways of doing God's will — by being 
good and by doing good. 

"Give us this day our daily bread." Bread here 
means our daily needs — food, clothing, shelter, etc. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



57 



"And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debt- 
ors." Debts here means sins. Our debtors are those 
who have treated us unkindly. 

"And lead us not into temptation but deliver us 
from evil." ,We pray God to make us strong- enojugh 
to resist anything that would lead us to do wrong. 

The last part, "For Thine is the kingdom and the 
power and the glory, forever," means that we acknowl- 
edge Him as the Creator and Giver of all that is good, 
and that He should be loved, honored, and praised for- 
ever. 

Application: Who were the people who first used 
this prayer? Who taught it to them? Would we some- 
times like to say this for our bed-time prayer? 



LESSON 12. CHRIST AND THE RICH YOUNG 

MAN. 

Text: Matt. 19:16-30 Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. LIII. 

Pictures: Christ and the Rich Young Man. The 
Christ (Hofmann). 

Get the children to notice the contrast between 
Jesus and the man, both in expression and dress. 

Aim: Love for the Gospel, not for worldy things, 
brings eternal life. 

Memory Gem: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell 
that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have 
treasure in heaven; and come and follow me." 

Outline : 
I. The Young Man. 

1. Wealth and position. 

2. Character. 



58 



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3. Goes to Jesus for information. 
II. The Savior's teachings. 

1. "Keep the Commandments." 

2. The Young Man's reply. 

3. "Sell that thou hast," etc. 

4. Effect upon the young man. 

Point of Contact: What have you that you love 
very dearly? (Children may answer that they have par- 
ents, friends, brothers and sisters, pretty homes, furni- 
ture, clothes, toys, etc.) Who has given all of these 
things? Whom should you love more than anybody or 
anything? If our Heavenly Father should want you to 
give these lovely things to somebody else, do you think 
that you could do it? If you could, it would show that 
you love Him more than your beautiful things. 

Lesson Statement: There lived in the land of 
Palestine a wealthy young man who was a ruler among 
the people. He had a great desire to do what was 
right. He had lived a good clean life from his boyhood. 
He had faith in God and wished so to live that he might 
be one in God's kingdom when he left this earth, that 
he might forever dwell with Him, or, as he said, have 
eternal life. He had heard of Jesus and His teachings and 
decided to go to Him for help. He went to Him one 
day, when Jesus was walking with His disciples, and 
kneeling at His feet said unto Him, "Good Master, 
what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal 
life?" Jesus said "Keep the commandments." And 
when the young man asked, "Which?" Jesius replied, 
"Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 
Honor thy father and thy mother : and, Thou shalt 
love thy neighbor as thyself." 

The young man said, "All these things have I 
kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" 



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As Jesus looked upon him He loved him. For He 
saw so much that was good in him. "If thou wilt be 
perfect," said the Good Master/' go and sell that thou 
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure 
in heaven ; and come and follow me." 

The young man wished to do what was right, but 
he trusted in riches; he loved his possessions too well to 
give them up for the Gospel. When he heard Jesus's 
words he went away sorrowful, for he was very rich. 
Why did he turn away sorrowful? 

Then Jesus turned to His Disciples and said, "How 
hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the 
Kingdom of God !" 

A man who is rich can do much good. He can use 
his wealth to help those around him. but the Lord re- 
quires that the love of the Gospel come before everything 
else. 

Our Heavenly Father expects that we pay to the 
Church ten cents of each dollar. This we call tithing. 
One who pays tithing shows that he loves the Gospel. 
As soon as a bov or girl earns money, he or she can begin 
to pay tithing. We have also been asked to give to the 
poor, especially Fast Day. Here boys and girls can help, 
too. 

Sometimes our fathers and brothers go on missions 
and give up for a time all their dear ones, the comforts 
of home, and their position. What does this show? 

If the rich young man had paid tithing, if he had 
used his riches in doing good to others, perhaps he 
would have been able to make the great sacrifice, and 
then he would have been like Peter and the other disci- 
ples. Which would you rather be, Peter or the rich 
young man? 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



61 



Application: How did Peter show his love for the 
Gospel? How do our parents show their love for the 
Gospel? What do they give to the Church? How can 
boys and girls show their love for the Gospel? 



LESSON 13. THE WIDOW'S MITE. 

Text: Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4. 

Aim: The Lord considers the spirit in which a gift 
is given, not the amount. 

Memory Gem: "Of all that thou shalt give me, I 
will surely give the tenth unto thee." 

Picture: The Widow's Mite. 

Outline: 

I. In the Temple. 

1. Money boxes. 

2. Gifts. 

a. Of the rich. 

b. Of the widow. 

II. Jesus's Comments. 

III. Tithing. 

Point of Contact: Ruth and Mary were the best 
of friends. They went to the same school and were in 
the same class. As their homes were in the country, 
they had a long walk each morning; and the two 
little friends usually went together. Ruth lived in a 
large house, and her father was wealthy; Mary lived 
in a small house, and her father was poor ; but that made 
no difference. Mary loved to see Ruth's dainty dresses 
and thought how pretty she looked in them. She knew 
how hard her own mother worked for her, and she was 
happy in her clean gingham aprons. 

One morning, when the girls got to school, they 
found a strange little girl there named Alice. Alice 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



63 



came into their class, and after school Ruth and Mary 
walked home with her. Afterward, the three little 
girls had good times as they walked to school in the 
fine autumn mornings. 

But one night a storm came, and the next morn- 
ing the ground, the fence rails, the trees, and the house- 
tops were covered with beautiful white snow, Ruth 
and Mary went running along the street, laughing and 
shouting. It was a cold morning, but both little girls 
were dressed warm so they did not mind the cold. 

Soon they came to the street where Alice lived. 
As she joined them, Ruth said, "Oh Alice, you forgot 
your gloves. Go back for them. Your hands will freeze." 

But Alice answered. "I haven't any gloves." 

At recess the girls talked it over and decided to 
buy Alice a pair of warm gloves. 

Ruth said, "I have two dollars. I will give ten 
cents." 

Mary had only three pennies, but she said quickly, 
"I will give my three pennies/ 

The other girls gave their nickels and dimes and 
they soon had enough money to get the gloves for Alice. 

Which girl was the more generous, Ruth or Mary? 

Ruth gave only a small part of her money, but 
Mary gave all she had. 

Lesson Statement: In the Temple at Jerusalem 
there were chests or boxes into which people dropped 
their gifts. One day when Jesus was in the Temple, 
He sat near one of these boxes and watched the people 
as they put their money into it. One, perhaps, gave 
a large piece of silver, another gave gold. Some put 
their money in as if to say, "See how much I give." 
But then came a poor widow. She came forward to 



64 



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the box to offer her small gift. It was only a few 
cents; but it was all that she had and she dropped 
it into the box, no doubt regretting that she had no 
more to give. 

Then Jesus said to those about Him, "This poor 
widow hath cast in more than they all." They gave a 
little of what they had but she gave her all. 

Application: What did Jesus mean when He said 
she had given more than the others? 

Our Heavenly Father judges our hearts; He judges 
the spirit of the gift, not the amount. 

When do our parents give gifts to the Church? 

Yes, Fast Day. 

What else do they give? 

Yes, they pay tithing. 

You know our Heavenly Father has said that we 
must give to Him one-tenth of all that we earn. That 
is, ten cents out of every dollar. 

Who! gives us all our blessings? Our Heavenly 
Father gives us so much. He gives us all that we have 
and then He expects us to give back to Him one-tenth, 
to pay tithing. 

When Jacob had been greatly blessed of the Lord, 
he said, "Of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely 
give the tenth unto thee. ,, 

And so, we who belong to the Church of Jesus 
Christ, give back to our Heavenly Father one-tenth of 
what He gives us. That isn't much to give back, is it. 
when we receive all that we have from Him? 

So we say, as Jacob said : "Of all that thou shalt 
give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee." 

Many of your fathers and mothers pay tithing. Has 
any one in this class paid tithing? How many would 
like to do it? When can you begin to do so? 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



65 



LESSON 14. THE BLIND MAN 

Text: John 8-12, 51, 59; 9. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. XLJV. 

Aim: The Lord blesses those who have faith in 
Him. 

Memory Gem: "Whereas I was blind, now I see." 
Picture: The Blind Man (Bida). 
Outline : 

I. Jesus in the Temple. 

1. His teachings. 

2. They took up stones to cast at Him. 

II. The Blind Man. 

1. His sad life. 

2. Seen by Jesus and His Apostles. 

III. The Miracle. 

1. Jesus's action. 

2. The man's obedience. 

3. The healing. 

IV. Before the Pharisees. 

1. The people's surprise. 

2. Man taken to synagogue. 
3- Cast out. 

V. Divinity of Jesus. 

1. Jesus finds the man. 

2. The conversation. 

Point of Contact: Close your eyes. How would 
you feel if you had to live that way every day? What 
would you miss that you now have? Imagine living to 
be a man without ever having seen. 

Lesson Statement: One Sabbath day Jesus was 
in the court of the Temple teaching the people. He told 
them many things which made them angry. They "took 

17 



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up stones to cast at Him; but Jesus hid Himselt, and 
went out of the Temple, going through the midst of 
them, and so passed by." 

Near the gate of the Temple, by the roadside, sat a 
man who was blind from his birth. 

To be born blind; never to look into the face of 
father or mother; never to see the beautiful sunlight 
and all the beautiful things in the world ; to have to 
depend upon a staff when moving about ; to live in dark- 
ness — this is sad, indeed ! ''And then to be unable to 
labor, and to be dependent on friends themselves poor, 
or on strangers, for daily bread — this is sadder still/* 
(Weed.) 

As Jesus left the Temple with His disciples, He 
saw this blind man sitting by the way, and He looked 
with pity upon him. 

As they neared the man, the disciples questioned 
Jesus about his blindness. The kind words of Jesus 
made the heart of the blind man rejoice. He had 
no doubt heard of the Savior and the many miracles 
which He had performed. As he turned his sightless 
eyes toward Jesus, his faith must have shown in his 
face, for Jesus took some clay from the ground, "and 
He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay." 

"And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of 
Siloam." 

With never a doubt as to the outcome, the man 
hastened as fast as his helpless condition would permit. 
He hurried along to the pool outside of the city gates, 
feeling his way with his staff, and followed by a crowd, 
some of whom mocked. 

Reaching the pool, he dipped his hand into the 
water and bathed his eyes, as Jesus had said, and, lo, 




The Blind Man 



Bida 



68 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



his eyes were opened, and he saw as other men. What 
joy was his as he looked upon the world in which he 
had long lived but had never before seen ! He could see 
the water, the flowers with their beautiful colors, the 
green grass, the blue sky ! 

Now he was as other men ; he could work and sup- 
port himself ; he would no longer have to sit by the way- 
side and beg from those who passed by. His heart was 
full of gratitude. 

Those who had known him. meeting him upon the 
street, questioned him ; and when it was found that Jesus 
had healed him, he was taken before the Jewish rulers, 
who endeavored to get him to say Jesus was not of God. 
f 'The man sharply and justly reproved them, and de- 
fended his Healer. They became more and more angry, 
reviling him and Jesus, and at last, drove him from 
them ; forbidding him to enter the Temple or Synagogue, 
and the people to speak to, or help him." (Weed.) 

'' Jesus heard that they had cast him out ; and when 
he had found him, he said unto him. Dost thou believe on 
the Son of God. 

"He answered and said, Who is he Lord, that I 
might believe on him? 

"And Jesus said unto him Thou has both seen him, 
and it is he that talketh with thee." 

Application-: Jesus is not on the earth now, but His 
Priesthood is, and by its power those holding' it can heal 
us when Ave are sick, if we have enough faith. This 
is how a little boy in our church was cured : 
Remarkable Case of Healing 

The following account of a remarkable case of heal- 
ing was translated from the Dutch Star for this maga- 
zine by President Alex. Nibley. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



69 



Little John, the eleven-year-old son of Sister H 

S of the Rotterdam branch, had suffered greatly for 

a number of years with his eyes. They were badly in- 
flamed and pained him continually. He was slowly 
losing- his sight and was unable to attend school longer. 

When, on a certain day in the beginning of last 
August (1906), it was announced in Rotterdam that 
President Joseph F. Smith would be in the city the 
following day and attend meeting, little John said to his 
mother : "The prophet has the most power of any 
missionary on earth. If you will take me with you to 
meeting and he will look into my eyes I believe they 
will be healed." 

According to his desire he was permitted to accom- 
pany his mother to the meeting, at the close of which 
President Smith moved to the door in order to shake 
hands with the Saints and friends as they passed out 
of the hall. As the little fellow approached him, led 
by his mother, and his eyes bandaged with cloths, Presi- 
dent Smith took him by the hand and spoke to him 
kindly. He then raised the bandage slightly and looked 
sympathetically into the inflamed eyes, at the same 
time saying something in English which the child could 
not understand. 

The little fellow was satisfied. The prophet had 
acted according to his faith ; and according to his faith 
so did it come to pass with him. Upon reaching home 
he cried out : "Mama, my eyes are well ; I can't feel any 
more pain. I can see fine now, and far, too." 

Since then his sight has been good. He attends 
school again, and one would never think that anything 
had ever ailed his eyes. (Millennial Star, Vol. 69, p. 76.) 



70 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



LESSON 15 HEALING THE CENTURION'S SER- 
VANT. 

Text : Luke 7 :1-10 ; Matt. 8 :13. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. XXVII. 

Aim: Great faith brings great blessings. 

Memory Gem : "As thou hast believed, so be it done 
unto thee." 

Picture: Healing the Sick (Hofmann). 

These pictures are not connected with the lesson, 
but could be used with a few words of introduction, 
which would serve also as a point of contact. Jesus was 
constantly healing the sick. Scarcely a day passed but 
He healed some one, and often many were brought to 
Him at once. See the sorrow shown in the picture, 
but notice the hopeful expression in the faces. Their 
sorrow will soon be changed to joy. 

Outline : 

I. Capernaum. 

1. Description of. 

2. "His own city." 

II. The Centurion. 

1. His position. 

2. Friend of the Jews. 

III. The Miracle. 

1. Jesus's answer. 

2. The servant healed. 

Lesson Statement: The northern part of the Holy 
Land was called Galilee. Nazareth, where Jesus lived as 
a boy, was here. Here also was a beautiful lake, which 
was called the Sea of Galilee. "When at rest the waters 
are as clear as glass, reflecting the shrubs and flowers on 



Christ Healing the Sick Hofmann 



72 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



the bank, especially in May, when the bright red and 
white oleanders fringe the shores. Above all .are num- 
berless birds of brilliant colors and varied forms." 

On the northwestern shores of this beautiful body of 
water was the city of Capernaum: — a city made attractive 
by palm, orange, and almond trees, and a great variety 
of many colored flowers. 

Here Jesus made His home with Peter. On the 
Sabbath day He went to the synagogue where He taught 
the people. From Capernaum He went on His journey 
and to it He returned for rest. He was so often in Ca- 
pernaum that it has been called His own city. 

In the city of Capernaum there lived a centurion, or 
captain, who had charge of the Roman soldiers. He was 
not one of the children of Israel. He came from a land 
where the people worshiped idols; but he had respect 
and reverence for God, whom the Jews worshiped. He 
had btailt for them a synagogue, one so much larger and 
so much more beautiful than any other in the city, that 
it was called the synagogue. The Jews loved him for his 
kindness and goodness. 

A servant of the centurion "who was dear unto him, 
was sick, and ready to die." 

"And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the 
elders of the Jews, beseeching Him that He would come 
and heal his servant." 

Jesus was just returning to the city. Many of His 
disciples, those who loved Him and believed in His 
teachings, lived in Capernaum; and when He returned 
from a journey they met Him. As Jesus walked along 
the streets, followed by the people, the elders of the Jews, 
the centurion's messengers, met Jes^us and requested 
Him to come and heal the servant. And they said of the 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



73 



centurion that he was a w'orthy man, "he loveth our na- 
tion, and he hath built us a synagogue." 

"Then Jesus went with them. And when He was 
not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to 
Him, saying* unto Him, Lord, trouble not Thyself ; for 
I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my 
roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to 
come unto Thee ; but say in a word, and my servant 
shall be healed." How great the centurion's faith must 
have been when he knew it was not necessary for Jesus 
even to come to the house where his servant was sick! 
He believed that Jesus had but to command the disease 
to depart as he would command the soldiers under him. 

"When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at 
him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that 
followed Him, "I say unto you, I have not found so great 
faith, no, not in Israel." Then He sent this message to 
the centurion, "as thou hast believed, so be it done unto 
thee." "And they that were sent, returning to the house, 
found the servant whole that had been sick." 

Get the children to tell what Jesus meant when He 
said, "as thou hast believed so be it done unto thee." 

What did Jesus say of the centurion's faith? 

Application: What power is upon the earth now 
by which we can be healed if we have faith enough? 
How can we get its help? 

An incident, proving that we have the Priesthood in 
our Church and that through its power the sick are 
healed, is found in the life of the Prophet. While the 
Saints were in Commerce, later known as Nauvoo, almost 
everyone became ill because of their weakened bodies 
and the disease germs lurking there. On July 22, 1839, 
the Prophet began a marvelous course of healing. He 



74 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



blessed a great number and all recovered under his 
hands. One case was especially remarkable. Elijah Ford- 
ham was very nearly dead — was unconscious and had 
been dying for an hour; every breath was thought to be 
his last. The Prophet visited him and commanded him to 
arise and be made whole. The sick man rose, asked for 
and ate some food, and accompanied the brethren on 
their tour of healing. A non-Mormon heard of this and 
requested the Prophet to come and cure his twins that 
were two miles away. The Prophet took out his hand- 
kerchief and gave it to Wilford Woodruff, who was later 
a president of the Church, and told him to go and ad- 
minister to the children, laying the handkerchief over 
their faces as he did it. This was done and the chil- 
dren were healed. At the present time this handker- 
chief is in the possession of President Woodruff's fam- 
ily where it is valued as a very precious relic. (See 
"One Hundred Years of Mormonism," page 288, or, 
''Leaves from My Journal," Chap. XIX.) Show the 
class pictures of Joseph Smith and of Wilford Woodruff. 



LESSON 16. A WOMAN'S FAITH 

Text: Matt. 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34. 

Aim: We may receive blessings through our own 
faith even though we do not declare it to others. 

Memory Gem: "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee 
whole." 

Outline : 

I. Jesus on His Way to Bless the Sick.— The Throng. 

II. The Woman 

1. Sick for twelve years. 

2. Tried skill of many physicians. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



75 



3. Spent all her money. 

4. Grew worse. 
BII. H>er Faith. 

1. What she believed. 

2. What she did. 
IV. The Healing. 

1. Cured instantly. 

2. Jesus's question. 

3. Jesus's recognition of her faith. 

Point of Contact: We love to talk about people 
who have faith, because they are always made happy 
and are blessed. If we are sick or in trouble, we may 
have faith just as strong as the people whom we have 
been talking about the last few Sundays had. Even 
though we cannot see Jesus here on the earth now, He 
will know about our faith, and if it is strong enough, 
He will bless us. 

Lesson Statement: Jesus was hurrying to bless a 
swieet girl that we shall learn of next Sunday. In the 
crowd that thronged about Jesus was a woman who 
had been sick for twelve years. Although she had been 
to many doctors and had spent all of her money trying 
to get well, she grew worse. The doctors knew a great 
deal about pain and sickness, but were not wise enough 
to cure her. When she heard of Jesus, she knew that 
He could surely cure her She did not get anybody to 
go for Him; she did not think it necessary for Jesus to 
even bless her or speak to her. She said, "If I may 
touch but His clothes, I shall be whole." She had very 
great faith, indeed! Was her faith greater than that of 
the blind man, or that of the master of the sick servant? 

She pressed through the crowd that followed Jesus 
and touched the hem of His clothing. She was instantly 



76 



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healed ! Jesus knew there was some one in particular 
in the crowd who had faith in Him ; and He asked, "Who 
touched my clothes?" 

With such a large crowd pressing closely about 
Him, many must have touched Him, so His disciples 
were surprised that H,e asked, "who touched me?" 

"But the Woman fearful and trembling, knowing" 
that she had been healed, came and fell down before 
Him and told Him all the truth. 

And He said unto her, "Daughter thy faith hath 
made thee whole; go in peace." 

Application: What cured the sick woman? When 
we are sick what is more sure of curing us than doctors 
or medicines or anything else? 

If we could not call in the elders to bless us and 
were all alone, if our faith was so strong as this 
woman's, what could we do? If we know that Jesus 
can and will bless us, we will receive that which we are 
in need of. 



LESSON 17. JESUS RAISES THE DAUGHTER 
OF JAIRUS. 

Text: Mark 5:21-44; Matt. 9:18-26; Luke 8:40-56. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. XXXI. 

Aim: Jesus has power over death. 

Memory Gem: "Fear not, believe only, and she shall 
be made whole." 

Picture: Raising of Jairus's Daughter (Richter). 

Outline : 
I. Jairus. 

1. Ruler of synagogue. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



77 



2. Comes to Jesus. 

3. His petition. 

II. Jesus Goes with Jairus. 

1. An incident on the way. 

2. The message. 

III. The Miracle. 

1. Jesus at Jairus's house accompanied by Peter, 
James and John. 

2. The sorrowing friends. 

3. Jesus' words. 

4. "Her spirit came again." 

Point of Contact: Has anyone a sister twelve years 
old? What does she do in your home to make it 
happy? What does she <do for your mother? What does 
she do for your father? What difference would it make 
in your home if she should go away for a while? 
What does she do that you would miss most? Today 
we are going to talk of a little girl just twelve years 
old, whom Jesus knew and blessed. 

Lesson Statement: Jesus had been on the east- 
ern shores of the Sea of Galilee. When He returned by 
ship to Capernaum, many people stood on the shore to 
welcome Him. He and His apostles and others went to 
the home of Matthew, where a feast was given in His 
honor. As the guests sat around the table, Jesus taught 
them the beautiful truths of the Gospel. 

There lived in the city of Capernaum a ruler of the 
synagogue named Jairus. Jairus had a little daughter 
twelve years old. She was the only daughter and the 
light and joy of the home. But on this day, when Jesus 
sat at the feast with His disciples, Jairus's daughter was 
very sick — so sick that Jairus knew that she was dying. 
When he heard that Jesus had returned to Capernaum, 



Raising the Daughter of Jairus 



Richter 



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79 



he hastened to the room where Jesus was, and falling at 
His feet besought Him, saying, "My little daughter lieth 
at the point of death : I pray thee, come and lay thy 
hands on her, that she may be healed ; and she shall 
live." 

"And Jesus went with him and much people fol- 
lowed Him, and thronged Him." (Review the incident 
contained in verses Mark 5 :25-34.) 

This delay must have seemed long to the anxious 
father. While Jesus yet spoke, there came from the 
ruler of the symagogue's house one who said, "Thy 
daughter is dead; why troublest thou the Master any 
further ?" 

But Jesus heard the words not intended for His 
ears, and turning to the father He said, "Fear not ; 
believe only, and she shall be made whole." Let us re- 
peat these words. 

The father's sorrow was changed to rejoicing for, 
with this blessed assurance from the Master, he knew 
that his little daughter would be brought back to life, 
even though she had died. 

Think of the sorrow in that home where the sweet 
little girl had died! How the people in it wept and wailed, 
for they thought she would never speak to them again, 
never smile, and never kiss them ! Into such a house of 
sadness went Jesus, taking with Him. Peter, James and 
John. 

"He taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, 
and them that were with Him and entereth in where the 
damsel was lying." 

Just think how we would feel should Jesus enter 
our home! The father and mother of the girl now had 
faith such as we would have — faith that Jesus would re- 



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PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



store her to life as He had promised. The Apostles had 
seen Him do many wonderful things, so they too had 
faith, and we may know that a great change occur- 
red and in place of noisy crying and wailing, there came 
a sweet, sweet peace. 

"And He took the damsel by the hand, and said 
unto her, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." 

"And her spirit came again, and she arose straight 
way ; and he commanded to give her meat." 

Can you imagine the joy of the father and mother 
as they saw the color come back to the cheeks of their 
daughter; saw her eyes open; a smile of greeting; heard 
her voice of love, and how they clasped her in their arms 
and hugged her ! 

And don't you think they must have felt like kneel- 
ing at the feet of Jesus as they saw His power thus 
shown ! 

Let us repeat His promise, which was now fulfilled : 
"Fear not; believe only, and she shall be made 
Whole." 

Application: One important feature of the mission 
Jesus had to perform was to make it possible for peo- 
ple to rise from the dead, or be resurrected. If it had 
not been for Jesus, this little girl would never have 
lived again. When we should die, we would not be 
resurrected but would remain in the grave. Jesus 
came, and through His death made it possible for you 
and me and all people to live again. This little girl was 
raised by Jesus, because of His wonderful power, when 
she had been dead but a very short time. It is necessary 
for people to die, but some day, when the proper time 
comes, their spirits will again come back to their bodies, 
and they will live. 

When Jesus shall say to us, whether it be when we 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



81 



are very, very sick, or when we shall have died and per- 
haps been buried, "I say unto you, arise!" what will we 
do? 



LESSON 18. JESUS RAISES LAZARUS FROM THE 

DEAD 

Text: John 11:1-45. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. LI. 

Aim: Jesus Christ has power over death. 

Memory Gem: "I am the resurrection and the life: 
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall 
he live." 

Pictures: Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha 
(Hofmann.) (See Lesson 29) ; Raising of Lazarus 
(Rubens). 

Outline : 

I. Home of Mary and Martha. — The Great Sorrow. 

II. The Message to Jesus. 

1. Nature of it. 

2. Jesus's reply. 

3. His conversation with the disciples. 

III. Jesus and Martha. 

1. Martha's words of sorrow. 

2. Reply of Jesus. 

IV. Jesus and Mary. 

1. Mary's faith and testimony. 

2. Jesus's sorrow. 

V. At the grave. 

1. The prayer. 

2. The command. 

3. Lazarus restored to life. 

18 



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Point of Contact: We have heard of so many 
wonderful things that Jesus did ! Let us see if we re- 
member some of them. (Teacher review the healing of 
the blind man, the healing of the sick servant, even 
though He did not go near him; the healing "of a woman, 
who had been sick for twelve years, because of her faith 
in just touching His clothing; the raising of the little 
daughter of Jairus after she had been sick and died.) 
Jesus did many more wonderful miracles of which you 
will some day learn. We have not time in Sunday School 
to tell of all of them. Today we shall learn of one of the 
most marvelous acts of His life. 

Lesson Statement: In the little town of Bethany, 
about three miles from Jerusalem, lived some very dear 
friends of Jesus. They were Mary and Martha and their 
brother Lazarus. Jesus loved them, and they loved Him. 
He often went to their home where they loved to lis- 
ten to His teachings. (Show picture — Jesus, Mary and 
Martha. Lesson 29.) But, while Jesus was about fifty 
miles away in the village of Bethabara, on the other side 
of Jordan, Lazarus became very sick. His sister feared 
that he would die ; and they sent a message to Jesus, 
saying, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." 

The mesenger probably traveled on a donkey, and 
it would take him more than a day to get to Bethabara. 
When he delivered the message Jesus answered, "This 
sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that 
the Son of God might be glorified thereby." 

The disciples thought that Lazartus would not die 
but be healed. Jesus stayed two days longer and then 
suggested that they go into Judea. The disciples feared 
for His safety; but Jesus said that no one would harm 
Him until His mission was performed. Jesus said, "Our 
friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may wake him 



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out of sleep." The disciples, not understanding, said, 
"Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well." Then Jesus said, 
"Lazarus is dead." 

The aim of the lesson is well brought out in verse 
15. "I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to 
the intent ye may believe." If Jesus had been there 
would Lazarus have died ? Why did his death make it 
a better lesson for the people? 

Picture the home of the sisters, the sorrow, the 
friends who came to comfort them, then Martha's going 
out to meet Jesus. 

Lazarus had been buried four days. Martha's 
Words, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my (brother 
had not died," show that she recognized Jesus's power 
and her great faith is manifested when she said, "But 
I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of 
God, God will give it thee." Jesus told her that Lazarus 
should rise again. Martha said, "I know that he shall 
rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus 
said unto her, "I am the resurrection, and the life; he 
that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he 
live." 

Martha Went for Mary ; Mary arose quickly and 
came unto Him; the friends, believing she had gone to 
weep at the grave, followed her. Mary said, as Martha 
did, "Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not 
died." Tell of Jesus's sorrow when He saw those whom 
He loved in trouble. 

Describe their going to the cave tomb, the grave 
with a stone before the door. Jesus bade them take 
the stone away. Martha spoke of the change in her 
brother's body, for he had been dead four days, but 
Jesus reproved her: "Said I not unto thee, that, if 



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thou wo-uldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of 
God?" 

When the stone was taken away, Jesus prayed say- 
ing-: "Father, I thank Thee that thou hast heard me. 
And I know that thou hearest me always." Then He 
cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." And 
the dead obeyed and came forth to begin life anew. 

Show the picture : The Raising of Lazarus (Ru- 
bens). 

Get the pupils to observe the joy and worship in 
the faces of the sisters and the apostles. 

"And many of the Jews which came to Mary, and 
had seen the things, which Jesus did, believed on Him." 

Application: Lazarus had not only died but had 
been buried, and still Jesus had power over death. Just 
as sure as Lazarus was raised from the dead, so shall we 
be, only we will then live forever. Perhaps some of us 
have brothers or sisters or other relatives or friends, 
who have died, and we want to see them again, oh, so 
badly! And just think of it! Some day we shall see them 
with their resurrected bodies just as they used to have, 
only more beautiful ! Probably we shall not see them for 
a long, long time ; but we know that at the proper time 
we shall be with them again and be so happy ! All this 
happiness we will owe to Jesus. This is what He meant 
when He said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he 
that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall 
he live." 

Of wriich other of Christ's miracles does this remind 
you? Why does this seem even more wonderful than 
the raising of Jairus' daughter ? Why are these two, per- 
haps, the most important miracles which Jesus per- 
formed? Why do they mean so much to us? 



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LESSON 19. THE LOST SHEEP. 
Text: Luke 15:1-10. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. XLVIII. 

Aim: The Lord watches over His children; there is 
rejoicing- in Heaven over every one who repents. 

Memory Gem: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall 
not want." 

Picture: The Good Shepherd (Plockhorst). 
Outline : 

I. The Shepherd of Palestine. 

1. Dress. . ' 

2. Habits. 

3. Care of flock. 

II. The Lost Lamb. 

1. Strays from flock. 

2. Dangers. 

3. Loneliness. 

4. Bleatings 

5. The shepherd's anxiety. 

6. The shepherd's search. 

7. Found. — The Rejoicing. 

III. The Lord's Lambs. 

1. Christ the Shepherd. 

2. How cared for. 

3. Dangers to lost one. 

4. The Lord's anxiety over lost ones. 

5. Rejoicing when lost is found. 

6. Blessing to the one who repents. 

Point of Contact and Lesson Statement: That 
the children may fully appreciate this story, they 



The Good Shepherd Piockhurst 



88 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



must be told of the shepherds of Palestine. Here we 
are used to the sight of a large flock of sheep driven 
by the shepherd and the dogs. The shepherds of the 
East have small flocks. They lead the sheep instead 
of driving them. The sheep know the shepherd's voice; 
they come at his call, stop, lie down or huddle together 
as he directs. At birth the lamb becomes the shepherd's 
charge; his to name and train; his to guard from harm. 

The sheep are surrounded by the loving, watchful 
care of the shepherd from day to day. He leads them 
to the green pastures and sees that no harm comes to 
them while feeding. He knows where fresh, sweet water 
is to be found, and here he takes his charges to drink. 

At night he leads them to the sheep fold. At the 
door of the fold he stands with his crook and, as the sheep 
pass in, one by one, he inspects each. Some are bruised 
and scratched. These receive his special care. If one 
little lamb has strayed during the day, and has not been 
missed, the loss is known now, when the sheep are 
brought to the sheepfold for the night. 

Tell the story of the little lamb straying from 
the flock, lost on the mountain side, scratched and torn 
by the thorns, and in danger; of the shepherd's anxiety, 
his search, and the rejoicing and happiness when the 
lost lamb is found. 

Application: Compare Jesus' care for us to the care 
of the shepherd for his sheep. When we sin, we are like 
the lost lamb — we stray away from His care; but when 
we repent, we are welcome back to the fold. 

There are a number of smaller folds in this big 
world — folds of Jesus. Teachers bring out from the class, 
what these folds are — a tiny one is the class; another the 
Sunday School, the Ward, etc. What may we call the 
boys and girls who do not come to Sunday School? This. 



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89 



makes their shepherds (teachers) very sad. What can 
the stray lambs do to make them happy again? If the 
little lambs forgot to come back for a long time, what 
might happen? How could they make Jesus happy again? 
There are two kinds of little lambs, the ones who always 
stay in the fold and those who stray away. Which do 
you want to be? Why? 



LESSON 20. THE SOWER. 

Text: Matt. 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:1-15. 

Aim: The Lord requires that we be doers of the 
world, not only hearers. 

Memory Gem: "Whatsoever a man soweth, that 
shall he also reap." 

Picture: Christ Teaching from a Boat (Hofmann). 

OutHne : 

I. Jesus Teaching from a Boat. 

1. The multitude. 

2. The parable. 

II. His Teaching to the Disciples. 

1. Their questions. 

2. His explanation of the parable. 

Point of Contact: What does the farmer do in the 
spring? What comes from these seeds the farmers 
sow? How many of you are going to have a flower 
garden? What did you have in your garden, last year? 
Tell how you made your garden. From each tiny seed 
you got many pretty flowers. Did you get as many as 
ten flowers for one seed? or fifty flowers? or a hundred 
flowers? If you got one hundred flowers for each seed, 
that would be a hundred fold. If some of your seeds had 
fallen on the sidewalk, would they have grown? What 



90 



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would have happened to them? If they had fallen in 
among many weeds? 
Show "The Sower." 

Lesson Statement: At the time Jesus lived, the 
farmer took his seeds and walked over his field and 
planted it as this man is planting it. So when Jesus said, 
"Behold, a sower went forth to sow," the people would 
think of a man like this. 

One day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the 
seaside, but as usual a great many people began to gather 
about Him, so that He went into a ship; and while the 
people stood or sat about on the shores, Jesus began to 
teach them from the ship. He told them this story : 

"Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he 
sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls 
came and devoured them : Some fell upon stony places, 
where they had not much earth * * * and when the 
sun was up, * * * they withered away. Some fell among 
thorns, and the thorns sprung up and choked them. 
But others fell into good ground, and brought forth 
fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold and some 
thirty fold." 

When the multitude had gone away and Jesus was 
alone with His disciples, some of the disciples asked 
Jesus why He spoke to the people in parables; why He 
told the people a story instead of explaining the beauti- 
ful truths of the Gospel, as He did to them ; and Jesus 
told them it was because they could not understand the 
things of the kingdom of Heaven as the disciples could. 
H;e then explained the meaning of the story or parable of 
the sower to them. 

Any one who teaches the word of God is like a sow- 
er. He is sowing or planting words of truth. If the one 
who listens only hears the word and does not do it, the: 



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words fall upon his heart as the seeds fell upon stony 
or weedy places. The words of truth are soon forgotten, 
and he is little benefitted. But he who not only hears the 
words of truth but remembers them and does what he 
has been told, lives the truth in his life, receives the 
seed upon good ground, and it brings forth a hundred 
fold. • 

Application: The teachers in Sunday School, Pri- 
mary, Religion Class, etc., could be called the sowers, 
the lessons they teach would be the seed, and what would 
be the ground upon which it is sown? What would be 
good ground? What would be poor ground? 

If you should hear the lesson about Jesus being bap- 
tized and were told that He said all people should be 
baptized, that would be good seed being planted in you. 
How could we tell whether it had fallen on good ground 
or not? What would you do if it had fallen on good 
ground ? 

If a child should hear the lesson of Christ cleansing 
the temple and later that child should break a window of 
a chapel, on what kind of ground would that seed have 
fallen? 

Which kind of ground would you rather be? In 
what way can you show that you receive the seed upon 
good ground? 

LESSON 21. THE GOOD SAMARITAN. 

Text: Luke 10:25-37. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. XLVII. 

Aim: In order to gain eternal life we should love 
and assist our fellowmen. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



93 



Memory Gem: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as 
thyself." 

Picture: The Good Samaritan 
Outline : 

I. The Conversation. 

1. The lawyer's question. 

2. Jesus's answer. 

3. Who is my neighbor? 

II. The Parable. 

1. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho. 

2. Traveler fell among thieves. 

3. The priest. 

4. The Levite. 

5. The good Samaritan. 

III. The Conversation. 

1. Jesus's inquiry. 

2. The lawyer's answer. 

3. "Go and do thou likewise." 

Point of Contact: Ask the children about people of 
different nationalities — the man at the peanut stand, 
Chinamen, Japanese, etc. Jesus has told us how to treat 
them. 

Lesson Statement: One day as Jesus was journey- 
ing towards Jerusalem accompanied, as usual, by His 
disciples/a lawyer came to Him. This man did not come 
to Jesus because he wished to learn. He came to ask 
Him questions, hoping that in answering He would say 
something for which He might be accused. 

The laW3^er said to Him, "Master, what shall I do to 
inherit eternal life?" 

Jesus asked him what was written in the laws of 
God as he had read them. The lawyer answered, "Thou 
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



95 



all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy 
mind ; and thy neighbor as thyself." Jesus told him 
that if he did this he would gain eternal life. Then the 
man asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" and Jesus 
told the story of the good Samaritan. 

Jericho is about fifteen miles northeast of Jeru- 
salem. The road is very lonely, leading through a rocky 
gorge. It is a very dangerous region for the traveler, 
as robber bands are constantly on the watch. 

Tell the story, enlarging upon the text, and make 
each incident stand out. 

Jesus then asked the lawyer, "Which now of these 
three thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell 
among the thieves?" Which one was? The Samari- 
tan treated the wounded man as he himself would like 
to have been treated. He was kind to him, even though 
a stranger. He remembered the command, "Thou shalt 
love thy neighbor as thyself." 

Jesus said to the lawyer, "Go and do thou likewise." 
What did he mean? 

Application: Who is our neighbor? How should 
we treat our neighbors? Get the children to feel that it 
is wrong to tease or be unkind to Chinamen or any who 
are unfortunate — that we should help them. 



LESSON 22. FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND 

Text: Matt. 14:13-21; John 6:1-14; Mark 6:32-44; 
Luke 9:10-17. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young/' Chaps. XXXIV, XXV. 

Aim: The Lord's care is shown in temporal things 
as well as in spiritual. 

Memory Gem: "Then He took the five loaves and 



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PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



the two fishes and looking up to heaven He blessed and 
brake." 

Picture: Feeding the Multitude (Murillo). 
Outline : 

I. The Multitude. 

1. Jesus in a lonely place. 

2. Multitude follow Him. 

3. He heals the sick. 

4. He teaches the people. (Mark 6:34). 

II. The Miracle. 

1. The Apostles' request. 

2. Jesus's commands. 

3. Feeding the multitude. 

III. Divinity of Jesus. 

1. Recognized by the multitude. 

2. Desire to make Him king. 

Point of Contact and Lesson Statement: In our 

last few lessons we have learned some of the things 
Jesus taught to enable us to gain eternal life and 
be happy after we die. Jesus also wants us to be happy 
and healthy while we live on this earth. Today we will 
learn of what Jesus did for a crowd of hungry people. 

The Twelve Apostles had not always been with 
Jesus. He sent them out into other cities to preach to the 
people. When they returned from their missionary 
labors, they "gathered themselves together unto Jesus, 
and told Him all things, both what they had done and 
what they had taught." "And He said unto them, Come 
ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile." 
So, entering a ship, they crossed the lake to the eastern 
shore. 

On this shore of the lake was un uninhabited plain 
covered with grass and dotted with flowers. From the 



98 



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plain rose green hills, and towering above these could be 
seen the snowy ridge of Mt. Hermon. To one of these 
grassy hills the Savior and His Apostles retired for peace 
and rest. So many people constantly came to them that 
"they had no leisure so much as to eat." 

But they were not to remain long at rest, for below 
them, on the plain, a great crowd of people began to 
gather. Quietly as had been their departure from the 
other side, the people saw them, and they ran on foot 
around the lake. As they passed through other villages, 
many more joined them until there was a mighty throng. 
They wandered about on the plain "as sheep not having 
a shepherd." And when Jesus, from a quiet peaceful 
hillside, looked down upon them, He "was moved with 
compassion toward them." He could not rest when the 
people needed Him. So, He arose and went down the 
hillside to the plain, and "received them, and spake unto 
them of the Kingdom of God, and healed them that had 
need of healing." 

"Hour after hour passed as the wearied but charmed 
throng listened to the voice of the Teacher and rejoiced 
in the works of the Healer." 

"And when it was evening, His disciples came to 
Him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now 
past; send the multitude away, that they may go into 
the villages, and buy themselves bread ; for they have 
nothing to eat." 

"But Jesus said unto them: They need not depart; 
give ye them to eat." But although the Apostles had 
been with Jesus so long, had seen His power made mani- 
fest so often, they did not understand what He meant 
And they asked, "Shall we go and buy bread and give 
them to eat?" But Jesus said unto them, "How many 
loaves have ye? Go and see." 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



99 



Andrew, one of the Apostles, said, "There is a lad, 
here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes, 
but what are they among so many?" 

The fishes were small dried fish which were eaten 
with bread. The lad was probably a boy who attended 
Jesus and the Apostles, carrying their provisions for them 
and rendering other service. I, wish we knew the name 
of this boy who had such an important part in this won- 
derful miracle! 

Jesus commanded the Apostles to have the people 
sit down by fifties and by hundreds. When all were 
seated in an orderly manner upon the green grass, Jesus 
"took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up 
to heaven. He blessed, and brake; and gave the loaves to 
His disciples, and the disciples gave them to the multi- 
tude. And likewise of the fishes as much as they would." 

As the disciples, obeying Jesus's command, passed 
the food to the multitude, it failed not but increased until 
all that multitude, over five thousand people, had been 
fed, "and they took up the fragments that remained, 
twelve baskets full." 

"Then those men, when they had seen the mira- 
cle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth a prophet that 
should come into the world. 

"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would 
come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He de- 
parted again into a mountain Himself alone." 

The desire of the people to make Him a king only 
saddened Him. The people believed in Him, but they did 
not understand Him when He said, "My kingdom is not 
of this world." His mission was something greater, 
nobler than to be an earthly king, but there were few 
whose hearts were open to*receive Him. 



ICO 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Application: We ask the blessing on our food, as 
Jesus did over the loaves and fishes, so that it will do our 
bodies the good they need. 

Jesus has also told us what is good for us to eat 
and what will harm us. We call it the "Word of Wis- 
dom." What are some of the things that we should never 
touch? What should we eat just a little of? Why did 
the Lord give us the Word of Wisdom? What kind of 
bodies does He want us to have? 

LESSON 23. WALKING ON THE WATER. 

Text: Matt. 14:22-33. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. XXXVI. 

Aim: All things are possible to him that believeth. 

Memory Gem: "O thou of little faith, wherefore 
didst thou doubt?" 

Picture: "Christ Walking on the W r ater" (Plock- 
horst). 

Outline : 

I. Apostles on the Sea. 

1. The storm. 

2. Jesus goes to them. 

II. Peter Walks on the Sea. 

1. Peter's request. 

2. His fear. 

3. Jesus's reply. 

III. The People Worship Him. 

1. "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." 

Point of Contact: If you throw a cork on some 
water, does it float or sink? If you throw a rock on 
water what happens to it? Why does the rock sink? 
What happens to anything heavy, if thrown on water? 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



101 



Boats and ships stay on top because they have been 
especially made to float. Nearly everything else that 
is heavy will not stay on top but sinks in fresh water. 

Lesson Statement: One time Jesus's apostles saw 
something wonderful on the water. Let me tell you 
about it. 

After the people wished to make Jesus their king, 
He went into the mountain, where He spent the greater 
part of the night in prayer. 

His disciples were in a ship on the sea. During the 
night a strong wind began to blow, the sea grew very 
rough, and the ship was tossed by the waves, and they 
became afraid. As the waves rolled, and the ship rocked 
from side to side, they would wish for the Master's pres- 
ence; but they did not know that He was watching over 
them alone on the land, "and He saw them toiling and 
rowing." 

Some time between three and six o'clock in the 
morning, or "the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went 
unto them, walking on the sea." 

He was walking right on top of the water just as 
smoothly and easily as we walk on the ground. The 
apostles were very much afraid. They thought it must 
be a spirit, and they cried out for fear. Then Jesus 
spoke to them and said, "Be of good cheer; it is I ; be not 
afraid." 

Peter wished to walk from the ship to Jesus and 
said, "Lord if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee," 
and Jesus said, "Come." Peter thought he had faith 
enough to walk on the water just as Jesus was doing. 
He had not gone far when he saw the rough waves 
around him and heard the boisterous winds and then he 
grew afraid and started to sink. He cried to Jesus to 
save him, and Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught 




Plockhurst 

Jesus Walking on the Water 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



103 



him. Jesus said to Peter, "O thou of little faith, where- 
fore didst thou doubt?" If Peter had had more faith he 
would not have started to sink. He had strong faith at 
first ; but the storm made him doubt, and then he could 
no longer walk on the water. 

After Jesus and Peter got in the ship, the winds 
ceased and the sea was calm. They that were in the ship 
worshiped Jesus saying, "Of a truth Thou art the Son 
of God." 

Application: Jesus could do anything, he had such 
great power ; and today we have found out that it would 
have been possible for the apostles to do some of those 
same things if their faith were strong enough. Some- 
times we say our prayers and ask for a blessing we want 
very badly; or somebody is sick, and we ask the elders 
to bless them. Perhaps the Lord does not answer our 
prayers or heal our loved ones. Why? Maybe the doc- 
tor has told us the loved one is too sick to. get well;* and 
even after the elders have blessed the afflicted one, we 
keep remembering how sick he is, and we become afraid, 
as Peter did, and forget that no matter what the trouble 
is or how bad it is, the Lord can grant our desire if He 
thinks it should be granted. Anything is possible with 
the Lord, and He will bless us for our good if we ask 
Him with enough faith. 



LESSON 24. STILLING THE TEMPEST. 

Text: Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-26. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. XXX. 

Aim: Through faith we may be protected from 
danger. 



104 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Memory Gem: "What manner of Alan is this that 
even the wind and sea obey Him!" 

Picture: "Christ Stilling the Tempest" (Dore). 
Outline : 

I. The Sea of Galilee. 

1. Calm. 

a. Beauties of the sea 

b. People on the shore. 

c. Jesus teaches them from the ship. 

d. Ship launched. 

2. Storm. 

a. Jesus asleep. 

b. Disciples fearful. 

II. Jesus's Power Manifest. 

1. The miracle. 

2. The worship. 

Point of Contact: Have you ever looked into the 
water of a lake when it is perfectly still? It reminds us 
of a mirror. We can see our faces in it. We can see 
the trees and rocks on the bank. How does that same 
lake look when a storm is raging? Then the waters 
are so restless they appear angry. They foam and roll 
and the mirror is changed to a frothing sea of white 
caps. How would you feel if you were sailing on such 
a lake? 

Lesson Statement: Wherever a strong contrast 
can be presented, the children get more vivid mind pic- 
tures. In this lesson the calm, beautiful sea, with only 
the quiet swish, swish of the Avaves on the shore, as 
Jesus sat in the ship and talked to the people on the land, 
is a strong contrast to the sea when the great tempest 
arose, and the waves beat into the ship. And again 
when the peace followed the storm. 




Stilling the Tempest 



Dore 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Draw a vivid picture of the beauties of the sea with 
Jesus in the ship teaching them. (Mark 4:1). 

He talked to them for many hours; then, when the 
crowd left, He continued to teach His disciples. When 
evening- came, a great multitude gathered again ; but 
Jesus said to His disciples, "Let us pass over unto the 
other side." Perhaps the people had heard all that it was 
well for them to hear for that day, and besides Jesus 
was very tired and needed rest (Mark 4:36). 

Picture Jesus's peaceful sleep "on a pillow," the sud- 
den breaking of the storm, the excitement, confusion, and 
fear of the others in the ship, as He slept quietly on, 
taking a well-earned rest. 

And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, 
saying, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" 

We can think of Him, as He opened His eyes and 
looked up to them as still, calm, and peaceful, not dis- 
turbed by the commotion around Him. He gently re- 
buked them, as He lay looking up at them. "Why are ye 
fearful, O ye of little faith?" 

Picture Jesus as "He arose, and rebuked the wind, 
and said unto the sea, Peace, be still." 

Those noisy winds heard that gentle voice! 

Those angry waves were quieted by His command ! 

Again draw the contrasted picture of the change 
that took place. 

The apostles wondered at this miracle and said to 
one another, "What manner of man is this, that even the 
wind and the sea obey Him!" 

Application: Have you ever been in a dangerous 
storm? \In a. run-away? In a fire? In any other danger? 
Are you afraid when alone, or in the dark? Who is al- 
ways able to see you? What could you do for safety? 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



107 



LESSON 25. THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA. 

Text: John 4:1-42. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. XVIII. 

Aim: Good often comes from kindness to the un- 
popular or sinful. 

Memory Gem: Love your enemies, do good to them 
that hate you. 

Picture: Jesus and the Woman of Samaria (Hof- 
mann). 

Outline : 

I. At the Well. 

1. Jesus. 

2. The woman. 

3. The conversation. 

II. Preaching the Gospel to the Samaritans. 

1. The woman returns to the city. 

2. The Samaritans go to Jesus. 

3. He tarries with them two days. 

Point of Contact: Can you remember having seen 
a boy or girl act kindly to another person who was not 
liked? Perhaps there is a boy or girl whom your 
school-mates do not wish to play with. Jesus wants 
us to be kind to everybody, even though that person 
may have done wrong. Would you like to hear how 
Jesus was kind to a despised, sinful woman? 

Lesson Statement: Jesus decided to go to his old 
home in Galilee ; and it was necessary that he should go 
by way of Samaria — the land where lived the man who 
was so kind to the wounded man Jesus told about. The 
religion and custom of the Samaritans were different 
from those of the Jews, and the Jews looked down upon 
and did not like to associate with them. 



108 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



This -iJaiiid. .of Samaria Avas up in the mountains. 
Jesus and His disciples walked up its canyon roads; and 
while in some places the olive trees lined the roadways 
along the flatter portions, and wild pink roses, mignon- 
ette and hollyhocks clustered among the rocks, and the 
cuckoo's song would be heard, the heat was sometimes so 
great that travelers almost fainted and became very 
thirsty. 

The people living there in that time so long ago did 
not have water piped near or into their homes, but were 
dependent upon wells. There were but few of them, so 
that many people would have to go to one well for their 
drinking water. 

One of. these wells which the people believed had 
been dug many, many years before by Jacob (that Jacob 
who had a glorious dream and who promised to pay tith- 
ing) was near a Samaritan city. While the disciples 
went into the city to buy food, Jesus sat down at the 
well, tired and thirsty. Soon after a woman of Samaria 
came carrying her water-pot to get some water. Jesus 
said to her: "Give me to drink?" She wondered that 
he, a Jew, would even ask her for a drink and asked, 
"How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me?" 
Then Jesus told her that there is thirst of the body which 
water "will quench, and there is a thirst of the spirit which 
God, or God's Spirit alone can quench ; that is by giving 
the gospel which brings peace and joy, not only for this 
life, but through the life hereafter. So Jesus said to 
the woman, "The water that I shall give him shall be in 
him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." 
Then the woman said unto Him, "Sir, give me this wa- 
ter." But when by His answer He showed that He knew 
her past life, she thought of Him not only as a great 



Jesus and the Woman of Samaria Hofmann 



110 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



teacher, but as a prophet of God, and began to ask Him 
questions. (Verses 25 and 26.) 

The Apostles, returning, marveled that He talked to 
the Samaritan woman. They brought Him food saying, 
"Master, eat." But He said unto them: "I have meat 
to eat that ye know not of." In the joy of His ministry, in 
giving the gospel truths, the food of /the spirit, to 
others. His own bodily weariness and thirst were for- 
gotten. 

Unmindful of her errand at the well, the woman 
left her water pots and hastened to the city to bear the 
glad news which she had received. Many of the Samari- 
tans went to Jesus to hear His words, and "they be- 
sought Him that He would tarry with them." So, for 
two days. He stayed with them teaching them the beau- 
tiful truths of the Gospel; and many believed when they 
heard His words. (Verse 142.) 

Application: What good came from Jesus's act of 
kindness to the despised sinful woman? Now do not tell 
us, but see if you can think of some person who is not 
liked to whom you can be kind. Some one who perhaps 
is your enemy. Some one who may be sinful. Now let 
us think what we can do for them (just think it and do 
it later, but don't tell about it now). What good may 
come from our acts? How many expect to try this plan? 



LESSON 26. JESUS AND NICODEMUS. 

Text: John 3:1-16. 

Aim: Without baptism we cannot enter the King- 
dom of God. 

Memory Gem: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, ex- 
cept a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot 
enter into the Kingdom of God." 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



111 



Picture: "Jesus and Nicodemus." 
Outline : 

I. Nicodemus. 

1. Who he was. 

2. His associates. 

3. Reasons for seeking Jesus. 

II. The Interview. 

1. Time. 

2. The inquiry of Nicodemus. 

III. The Ordinance — Baptism. 

1. Explained in the answer of Jesus. 

2. Mode. 

3. Necessity. 

Point of Contact: The little girl who lives near 
me was, oh, so happy last week because it was her birth- 
day and she was eight years old. 

Who here is eight years old? Why were you very 
happy on the birthday that made you eight years old? 

What is it we can do then that we couldn't do be- 
fore ? 

We can be baptized just like our fathers, mothers, 
teachers, brothers, and sisters. 
How were you baptized? 

The man who baptized you had authority from Jesus, 
that is, he held the priesthood ; and before he put you 
under the water, he raised his right hand and said that 
he baptized you in Jesus's name. Then he laid you under 
the water so that you were entirely covered and brought 
you up out of the water. That is the way in which we 
were all baptized because that is the way in which we 
join the Church of God — enter the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus showed us the way too. How did he show us? 

(Bring out as correlation the story of the baptism of 
Jesus, which the children will have had). 



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PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



But do you know there was a time, long, long ago 
when people didn't know what to do to join the Church 
of God. There is a beautiful story which tells us about 
this. (To impress the lesson more clearly reference 
could be made to the gathering of our people at Gen- 
eral Conference at Salt Lake City, provided the chil- 
dren have seen such gatherings.) 

Lesson Statement: In the city of Jerusalem at the 
time when Jesus was upon the earth, there lived a man 
named Nicodemus. Nicodemus was one of the leaders 
of the Jewish nation. He was a ruler and a Rabbi. He 
was rich and was looked up to by all the people. Most 
of the rulers hated Jesus and treated Him unjustly and 
cruelly, but Nicodemus was honest and wanted to know 
the truth. He was just and wanted the rulers to treat 
Jesus justly. 

Now this was the time of the year when there were 
a great many people in Jerusalem. They had come to 
the Feast of the Passover. What was that feast in 
memory of? (Bring out some facts from Lesson 17 oi 
Stories from the Old Testament;) 

The people came from all the country round to at- 
tend this feast, and Jesus came too that He might teach 
the people. 

Nicodemus knew that Jesus was in Jerusalem, so 
we may think of him as leaving his home at night and 
walking along the dark, narrow, rock-paved streets to 
the house where Jesus was staying. 

You know the roofs of the houses in Jerusalem are 
flat with walls enclosing them, making the top of the 
house just like a room but open to the starry sky. 

^ The Bible doesn't tell us just where Jesus was, but 
we know it was the custom for people to sit in this room 



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PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



upon the house top in the evening. So Ave think of Jesus 
sitting alone here, quiet and peaceful. 

Nicodemus enters the house, ascends the stairs, and 
comes to Jesus, saying to Him : "Rabbi, we know that 
thou art a teacher from God : for no man can do these 
miracles that Thou doest except God be with him." 

He no doubt asked Jesus what a man had to do in 
order to please our Heavenly Father ; how one could 
enter God's Kingdom, become a member of God's 
Church. 

This was a very important question to Nicodemus. 
It is important to everybody, for everyone who loves the 
truth, who believes in our Heavenly Father and in Jesus 
Christ, His Son, wants to belong to His Church, to enter 
His Kingdom. 

Then Jesus said to Nicodemus : "Except a man bf 
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

Whatever did Jesus mean? Why, people are only 
born once aren't they? Nicodemus wondered how he 
could be born again, be a little baby again when he was 
a man. But that wasn't what Jesus meant at all. 

Jesus then said to Nicodemus : "Except a man be 
born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the 
kingdom of God." I wonder if any of you children can 
tell me what Jesus meant by being "born of water?" 

Yes. he meant except a man be laid down under the 
water, and like being born again, he be raised up out of 
the water, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 

We call it being baptized. So we understand Jesus 
to mean that except a man be baptized in water and af- 
terwards receive the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter God's 
Church, God's Kingdom. Let us repeat Jesus' words: 
("Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he 
cannot enter into the kingdom of God"). 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



115 



Application: Do you want to belong to our Heav- 
enly Father's Church, do you want to become a member 
of God's Kingdom? 

What will you have to do then? Yes, when? And 
then you will be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. 
What is the name of our Church? To which church will 
you belong when you are baptized? After you are bap- 
tized, you will go to meeting on Fast Day. Several 
men holding the priesthood will put their hands upon 
your heads that you may receive the Holy Spirit, which 
will help you to do right. The Spirit of God comes into 
our hearts and change us, makes us better, so that it is 
like being born again. 

So Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and 
of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" — 
Repeat it with me. What does "born of the water" mean? 
What does "born of the Spirit" mean? 

What is it necesary for us to do if we wish to enter 
God's Kingdom — become a member of His Church? 
Jesus said "Except," etc. 

Review: Who was Nicodemus? Why did he come 
to Jesus at night? (Show picture of Jesus and Nico- 
demus.) (Pointing to Nicodemus). Who do you think 
this is? Is he listening attentively? 'I wonder what 
Jesus is saying? Who would like to tell the story? 

LESSON 27. JESUS AND JOHN BAPTIZING. 
Text: John 3:22-26; 4:2. 

Aim: Those possessing the Spirit of God acknowl- 
edge authority. 

This lesson should give the child some understand- 
in of Priesthood, God's authority on earth, and help to 
make him respect those who hold it. 



116 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Memory Gem: "A man can receive nothing, except 
it be given him from heaven." 
Outline : 

I. Baptism. 

1. Of water. 

a. Significance. 

b. Performed by John. 

c. Performed by the disciples of Jesus. 

2. Of the Hoi)- Ghost. — Significance. 

II. People are drawn to Jesus. 

1. Effect upon Jews. 

2. Effect upon John. 

III. John's humility and rejoicing. 

1. Acknowledges authority. 

2. My joy therefore is fulfilled. 

3. Bears testimony of Jesus' divinity. 

Point of Contact: Which of the children can tell 
who is the president of the United States? Would it 
not be wonderful to be the president of the United 
States? I believe every boy here would like to be. The 
president stands at the head of all Americans. All 
honor and respect him. There are other men who are 
placed over us in power, or authority, who are not 
so high as the president. Whom can you think of? 
(Children may know of the governor, or mayor. Likely 
they will know of their public school principal. If school 
is not in the United States, the teacher should adapt this 
lesson to her locality.) All of these people have been 
chosen by men. 

There are some men who have been chosen by the 
Lord to fill positions. Would it not be wonderful to be 
thought good enough by the Lord to fill important posi- 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 117 

tions for Him? How many would like to be chosen by 
Him, when you grow up, to do some work? 

Lesson Statement: John the Baptist, you remem- 
ber, had been chosen when Jesus was on the earth, to do 
a certain work. He was a great man. We will find out 
today how he honored the authority of God, or His priest- 
hood. 

As Jesus had told Nicodemus that it was neces- 
sary for him to be baptized, so He told all the people to 
whom He preached. Jesus preached the gospel in Judea, 
and many people listened to His words, and many were 
baptized by water in the rivers or the lakes. The apos- 
tles, who held the priesthood of God, who had been 
given this authority, took them to the water's edge, and 
then buried them under the water, and so being baptized 
by one having authority, they were "born again" as Jesus 
had said. Those who were baptized were then confirmed 
members of the Church of Christ. They received the 
gift of the Holy Ghost and so "were born of the Spirit." 
Repeat Jesus' words to Nicodemus. 

John the Baptist was also preaching in the little vil- 
lage of Aenon, near Salim, where there was water deep 
enough to lay a person in it and be wholly covered. 
Some Jews who had seen the crowds which followed 
Jesus, went to John and said, "Rabbi, He that was with 
thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, be- 
hold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to Him." 

They thought that this would anger John and" make 
him jealous. But they were entirely mistaken. He re- 
joiced that people believed in Jesus, and listened to His 
teachings. But John, knowing that Jesus was teaching 
the truth which came from heaven, said : "A man can 
receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." 

Let us repeat these words of John. And then he told 



118 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



them that while he had received from heaven the author- 
ity of the priesthood that he might perform his mission 
on earth, he rejoiced that Jesus had a higher authority, 
for He was Christ, the Son of God and the Redeemer of 
the world. And he said unto them : "He that believeth 
on the Son hath everlasting life." 

Application: Who stands at the head, or holds the 
highest authority in the Sunday School? In the Ward? 
In the Church? All of these men have been chosen to 
fill these positions for our Heavenly Father. They have 
a number of helpers and all of these hold the holy priest- 
hood. How can we show that we respect those who hold 
the Priesthood? 

LESSON 28. JESUS BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN 

Texts: Matt. 18:1-10; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 9:46-48. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. LIL ' 

Aim: Purity of soul leads to Christ. 

Songs: "Little Lambs so White and Fair;" "I Think 
When I Read that Sweet Story of Old," Primary Song 
Book, No. 11; "Let the Little Children Come," Primary 
Song Book, No. 17; "Jesus Blessed the Children," Pri- 
mary Song Book, 13. 

Picture: "Christ Blessing Little Children" (Plock- 
horst and Hofmann). 

Memory Gem: Suffer the little children to come 
(unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the king- 
dom of God." 

Outline : 
I. The Disciples' question. 

1. What called it forth. 

2. What it revealed concerning their thoughts. 




Christ Blessing Little Children Piockhurst 



120 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



II. The Savior's answer. 

1. The lesson of the little child. 

(a) Purity, trust, humility, gentleness, obedience., 
love. 

III. Christ blesses little children. 

1. Children brought to the Savior. 

2. His rebuke to the disciples. 

3. The blessing. 

Point of Contact: If Jesus were on the earth today, 
would it not be glorious to see Him? What if we could 
hear Him speak! What if we could touch Him! What 
if He had laid His hands upon our heads and blessed 
us ! What if He had healed us when we were sick ! We 
read in the Bible of people who really did see Him and 
hear Him and were blessed by Him. 

Lesson Statement: I wish I could tell you how 
Jesus loves little children ! How He always loves to 
bless them and make them happy. Then I am sure you 
would love Him, and love to do His will. He wants you 
and all children to come to Him, to come to His King- 
dom. Indeed He took a little child and set it among His 
disciples and told them that they must become as good, 
as kind, as loving, as obedient, as sweet and pure as a 
little child or they could not enter into the Kingdom of 
Heaven. 

As we study His life, we find that women and chil- 
dren all seemed to love Him, wanted to be near Him, 
wanted Him to bless them. Although He was very, very 
busy. He seemed always to notice children., and could 
find time, even when ministering to the sick, making the 
blind see, the lame walk, and preaching the gospel to 
the people, to say nice things to children and bless them. 
One day many mothers went out to see Jesus that they 
might be near Him, hear His voice and learn what He 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



121 



wanted them to do. Of course they wanted their children 
to see Him too. Little did they think that we should be 
talking of what occurred, we who live nearly two thous- 
and years after that wonderful day. 

As these Mothers and children drew near Him 
crowding around, the disciples rebuked them fearing 
they would annoy Jesus, but they did not know how 
much He loved them, and He said to them, "Suffer the 
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for 
of such is the Kingdom of God." Let us repeat these 
words, for they are for us just as much as for those little 
children who crowded around Him that day so long 
ago. And then a very beautiful thing happened, some- 
thing that will make every one of you wish you had been 
there, for Jesus "took them up in His arms, put His 
hands upon them, and blessed them." And He again re- 
minded His disciples that they too must become as a 
little child if they wanted to enter the Kingdom of 
Heaven. (Here is a good opportunity for a good picture 
study : mothers anxiously awaiting their turn ; love and 
trust of the mothers; confidence of children as shown 
by the small child on His knee. Even the smallest hadn't 
any fear or the timidity usually manifested toward a 
stranger.) 

Our fathers and mothers are God's helpers in tak- 
ing care of the children, and Jesus expects us to love and 
obey them, just as He wants us to love and obey Him. 

Application: Why does Jesus especially love little 
children? 

What did He say about them? 

When we grow up to be men and women, in what 
ways do we wish to be like little children? If we re- 
main pure and sinless, gentle and obedient, what shall be 
our reward? 



122 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



LESSON 29. MARY AND MARTHA. 

Texts: Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-8; Mark 14:3-9; 
Matt. 26:6-13. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. LVI. 

Aim: The Lord rejoices in those who seek first 
His kingdom. 

Memory Gem: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God 
and His righteousness : and all these things shall be added 
unto you." 

Pictures: Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha," 
"Mary Anointing Jesus's Feet" (Hofmann). 
Outline: 

I. The home in Bethany. 

1. Its occupants. 

2. Its likely housekeeper. 

3. Its frequent visitor. 

II. Visit of Jesus. 

1. How received. 

2. What Martha did for Him. 

3. What Mary did for Him. 

4. Martha's complaint. 

III. Jesus's answer. 

IV. His last visit to Bethany. 
1. When made. 

A'. The entertainment. 

1. Why given. 

2. Guests present. 
VI. The anointing. 

1. W 7 hat with. 

2. By whom. 

3. Reason. j 

4. Cost— 300 pence or about $50.00. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



123 



VII. The protest. 

1. By whom. 

2. What prompted it. 

VIII. Acceptance by Jesus. 

1. Mary's act approved. 

2. Judas rebuked. 

Point of Contact: What boy has ever had so many 
chores to do that he could not go and play ball or mar- 
bles? Couldn't you just get the play in some way? 
Can't you girls always find time to care for dolls? Isn't 
there always time to spend your nickels at the store or 
picture show? 

Have you ever been so busy with work or play that 
you could not go to Religion Class, Primary, or Sunday 
School? 

Jesus taught us what duties are most important. 

Lesson Statement: About three miles from Jeru- 
lem on the slopes of the Mount of Olives there is a little 
village named Bethany. It would appear very strange to 
us for its little houses are a grayish white with flat roofs 
and almost surrounded by orchards — olive, pomegranate 
and other trees — with poppies and grasses. Here lived 
Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus, whom 
Christ raised from the dead. Could we have taken a peep 
into their little home, I am sure we Would have seen a 
beautiful one, clean and orderly, and better still was its 
atmosphere of love. This home, we think, was the sweet- 
est place in the world for Jesus ; for there He always 
found peace and rest and love, and there is where He 
loved to go for rest and comfort, and there He was al- 
ways welcomed. 

Martha seems to have been the housekeeper, and no 
doubt she took great pride in her work, and delighted in 
having nice things in the house to eat. 



Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha Hofmann 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 125 



Once when Jesus was attending a feast in Jerusalem, 
He decided to pay these good people in Bethany a visit, 
and walked over there, arriving warm and weary. He 
was received by Martha who immediately began to pre- 
pare something for Him to eat, while Mary, who no 
doubt had longed for just such a visit, wanting to hear 
His voice and listen to His teachings, sat down at His 
feet, apparently not thinking of anything else. Jesus was 
the most wonderful teacher who ever lived and always 
had many good things to tell those who wished to learn, 
and He was glad that Mary wanted to learn. Both sis- 
ters loved Jesus, and both showed their love in their own 
way. 

Martha "was cumbered about much serving, and 
came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that 
my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore 
that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, 
Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about 
many things : But one thing is needful ; and Mary hath 
chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away 
from her." It is more important that we learn about the 
gospel, to learn what Jesus wants us to do, than it is to 
look after the temporal things, like eating. 

On another occasion an entertainment was given in 
Bethany in honor of Jesus, and among others present 
was Mary; and here again she showed her love for Jesus, 
for, taking an alabaster box containing precious- oint- 
ment, sweet smelling spikenard, she went behind Him 
and, breaking the box, poured some of the oil upon His 
head and some upon His feet, wiping the latter with her 
hair. The perfume filled the house, which, of course, call- 
ed attention to what she had gone. ' J • • 

This ointment was very costly, the value of that used 
by Mary being about fifty dollars. Judas, who pretended 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



127 



to love the Lord and to whom was entrusted the money 
belonging* to the brethren, and who, it is said, often stole 
parts of it, was angry that this ointment was not sold 
and the money given to him to take care of. He, and 
some others expressed their objection; but Jesus, know- 
ing the act of Mary was an act of love, commended what 
she had done, and prophesied that wherever the gospel 
should be preached anywhere in the world, the story of 
Mary's love should be told. As the gospel is preached 
here and to us, children as well as old people, so in ful- 
fillment of Jesus' prophecy, this story of Mary is told. 
She thought that doing things for Jesus and learning of 
His teachings were more important than anything else. 

Application: We know that we cannot go without 
food and yet it is even more important that we should 
serve the Lord. 

Which should we be more willing to do — find time 
for fun or work, or find time to serve the Lord? 

If a playmate should ask one of us to go to a party, 
or a picture show, or play, and it was time for Religion 
class, to which should we go? 

Which should grown-up people think the most im- 
portant — their work or religious duties? 



LESSON 30. TRIUMPHAL ENTRY. 

Text: Matt. 21:1-11. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. LVII. 

Aim: Those who study the scriptures are best pre- 
pared to understand God's dealings with His children. 

Memory Gem: "Blessed is he that cometh in the 
name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." 



Anointing the Feet of Jesus Hofmann 



1^ PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Picture: "Christ's Entry into Jerusalem" (Plock- 
hurst). 

Outline: 

I. Preparation. 

1. Jesus' instructions to two disciples. 

2. The animals brought. 
5. Prophecy fulfilled. 

II. The Procession. 

h A great multitude. 
2- Showing the road. 

3. Some of those who took part in it. 

III. The people's greeting. 

1. "Hosanna to the son of David," etc. 

IV. The Entry into Jerusalem. 

1. All people stared. 

2. Acknowledged as a prophet. 

Point of Contact: In what kind of a place was Jesus 
born? When He was a little boy, how did He help 
Joseph? When He grew up, what kind of people did He 
usually mingle with? He slept and ate, just where He 
happened to be. He was always humble, not caring for 
palaces, beautiful clothes, servants, etc., that other kings 
have. And yet He is King of all kings and of all people 
who ever lived on the earth. Some wanted Jesus to come 
as, earthly kings come and be like them. Those who knew 
of His mission and knew of the wonderful things He did 
recognized that Jesus was greater than earthly kings — 
that He was the Son of God! One time, just once in His 
life, He was treated as a king! 

Lesson Statement: The day after the feast, when 
Mary poured the sweet ointment on Jesus's head, a won- 
derful prophecy was fulfilled. Nearly five hundred years 
before, a prophet (Zechariah 9:9) prophesied that the day 




21 



130 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



would come when Jerusalem would see its king; he said; 
"Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: lowly, and riding 
upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." 

The fame of Jesus had spread among many people ; 
they had seen the sick healed, the blind made to see, the 
lame to walk ; Lazarus had been raised from the dead, so 
many people believed that Jesus was not only the Son of 
our heavenly Father, but was their King. A great 
multitude gathered to honor Him, and took up a march 
towards Jerusalem. As they drew near Jerusalem, Jesus 
sent two of His disciples to a little village where He said 
they would find an ass tied, and with her a colt, which 
they were to loose and bring to. Him, saying that if any 
one objected to their taking the animals, to say, "The 
Lord hath need of them ; and straightway he will send 
them." The disciples did as they were told, and made a 
saddle from their clothing and "set him thereon." As He 
rode towards and into Jerusalem, the people shouted and 
sang, placed portions of their clothing to make a path- 
way for Him to ride over, and cut down branches from 
the trees and "strewed them in the way." Many waved 
large palm leaves. When the people in Jerusalem heard 
these shouts and songs they wondered why it was. 
Great crowds gathered in the streets, and as the multitude 
went down the Mount of Olives they broke out in a song 
with the words : "Blessed is He that cometh in the 
name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." The people 
in Jerusalem asked one another, "Who is this?" and the 
multitude answered saying, "This is Jesus the prophet oi 
Nazareth of Galilee." And the great song was taken up 
in Jerusalem as Jesus, mounted on the ass, wended His 
way to the temple in fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy. 
While the people honored Him, yet He entered Jeru- 
salem not as a haughty, wicked king, but lowly, riding 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



131 



upon an ass, and desirous only of doing good. Later He 
went, back to Bethany. 

Application: The people who knew who Jesus was 
and what His mission was were the ones who studied 
the Scriptures. 

How can it help us to study the Scriptures? 



LESSON 31. THE LAST SUPPER. 

Texts: Matt. 26:17-23; John 13:1-21. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. LX. 

Time: Four days after the triumphal entry into 
Jerusalem. 

Aim: Partaking of the Sacrament gives spiritual 
strength. 

Memory Gem: 

"While of these emblems we partake, 

In Jesus' name and for His sake, 

Let us remember and be sure, 

Our hearts and hands are clean and pure." 
Picture: "The Last Supper" (Leonardo Da Vinci). 
Outline : 

I. Preparation of the Room. 

1. Instructions to two of the apostles. 

2. "Strewn and ready." — Significance. 

II. Administration of the Sacrament. 

1. Bread. — Significance. 

2. Wine. — Significance. 

3. Importance. 



132 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



III. Jesus washes the Apostles' feet. 

1. "He that is greatest among you let him be least." 

Point of Contact and Lesson Statement: What did 
we do this morning that especially reminded us of Jesus? 
Would you like to learn of the very first time the Sacra- 
ment was administered? 

Four days after Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem, 
followed by a great crowd who hailed Him as King, Jesus 
again traveled from Bethany over the same road. He 
must have been sad, for He knew that He was soon to 
leave His friends and that instead of the people singing 
His praises, the wicked priests and others who were jeal- 
ous of Him, wanted to destroy Him. He and His disci- 
ples were on their way to Jerusalem to eat the passover 
in remembrance of the day when the angel of death 
passed over the children of Israel before Moses led them 
out of Egypt. Some of the disciples had gone ahead and 
an upper room was prepared for Jesus and the Twelve. 
When they arrived, their feet were tired and dusty. They 
wore only sandals, and walking oA^er dusty, unpaved 
streets no doubt caused dust to get into their sandals 
and on their feet. 

That Judas, who was angry because Mary had 
poured valuable ointment on Jesus had before this agreed 
to betray his Master, Jesus, for thirty pieces of -silver, 
less in value than was the ointment. No doubt he thought 
none of his friends knew of this; for it had been done in 
secret ; but Jesus knows all things. 

As they sat at table, Jesus said, "Verily I say unto 
you, that one of you shall betray me." This made all 
but Judas sorrowful, and all, even Judas, said : "Lord, is 
it I?" When Judas asked: "Master, is it I?" Jesus said 
unto him, "Thou hast said." 

Jesus knew this was to be the last meal He would eat 



134 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



in his mortal body, with His disciples, and He took ad- 
vantage of it, to show them, and through them all people 
who love Him, how to serve what we now call "The 
Lord's Supper," or the Sacrament. He took bread and 
broke it and giving a small piece to each of His disciples, 
told them it represented His body; and He took the cup 
and gave to each a sip from it, telling them that it repre- 
sented His blood which was to be shed for them. He 
told them, and He has told, us through the Prophet 
Joseph Smith that His people were to meet together 
often and partake of the broken bread and the wine. or 
water in remembrance of Him, and what He did for His 
people and for all the world. How sad that meal must 
have been, for Jesus knew the end was almost come ! He 
had told His disciples that His time was at hand and that 
one of them would betray Him to His enemies, who all 
the disciples knew wanted to put Him to death, and so, as 
the moonlight shone through the little windows of that 
upper room, it must have shown a sad group of men. 

Each Sab r ath day the Saints, the people who love 
and serve the Lord, meet together as did those disciples 
in that long ago day, and bread is broken and given to 
the people, water- is blessed and passed to each one; and 
as the bread is eaten and the water drunk, the people 
think of Jesus, of how He loved all of us, and the won- 
derful way in which He showed His love. I wonder if 
we can always think of this first "Sacrament" as we eat 
and drink in our Sunday School? 

It was the custom for servants to wash the feet of 
visitors entering- the homes, for the roads were unpaved 
and dusty ; but there were no servants of the kind we 
generally speak of in that upper room. Jesus wanted to 
teach His disciples a lesson of humility and service — ■ 
that none were too great or good to serve their fellows. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



135 



So He, the Lord, the Son of our Heavenly Father, the 
Master of all, took a towel and put it around His waist, 
and taking a basin of water, washed the feet of His disci- 
ples, one by one. How humble they must have felt to 
think the Lord could so humble Himself as to wash their 
feet. What a beautiful lesson of humility! 

When you are older, you will read of this sad meet- 
ing with great interest for Jesus was really bidding His 
disciples farewell. He knew that He was soon to leave 
them, and they must have felt the sorrow of parting from 
One who was so deeply loved. He uttered precious 
promises to them and told them of the beautiful place He 
would prepare for them in His Father's kingdom, where 
they would dwell with Him forever if they would but be 
obedient to the Father and serve their fellowmen, for 
thus only can man prove his love. Jesus said : He that 
loveth m}e shall be loved of my Father, and I will love 
him," and "If a man love me, he will keep my words," 
and "Love one another; as I have loved you." 

He promised them a rich portion of the Holy Spirit, 
even the Comforter, bade them "be of good cheer," and 
said "Let not your hearts be troubled" and "Peace I leave 
with you : My peace I give unto you." He promised them, 
"If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." 

Then He offered a prayer to our heavenly Father — 
a wonderful, beautiful prayer which you must read and 
think over when you grow older. A prayer that must 
have been a great comfort to them, and ought to be a 
great comfort to us for in it He said : "Neither pray I 
for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on 
me through their words." So you see, as we believe the 
words of these disciples, that prayer is for us as well as 
for them. 

Application: Of whom should we be thinking when 



Christ in Gethsemane Hofmann 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 137 



the Sacrament is administered? If we were thinking 
of Him, we would never whisper, look at books, laugh 
or play with anything all during the passing of the Sac- 
rament. With which hand should we take it? How 
should our hands look? How should our hearts be? 
Let us remember our gem that tells us how they should 
be, "While of these emblems," etc. 

LESSON 32. JESUS'S SUFFERING IN THE GAR- 
DEN, BETRAYAL, AND ARREST 

Texts: Matt. 26:30-56; Mark 14:26-52; Luke 22:39- 
54; John 18:1-12. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. LXII; Dictionary of the Bible (Wm. 
Smith). 

Aim: Implicit faith in God gives strength and cour- 
age. 

Memory Gem: "Nevertheless not as I will, but as 
thou wilt." 

Pictures: "Christ in Gethsemane" (Hofmann) ; "The 
Kiss of Judas" (Geiger) ; "The Betrayal" (Dore) ; "Christ 
Taken Captive" (Hofmann). 

Outline : 

I. Jesus in the Garden. 

1. Tells His disciples of what is to follow. 

2. Their faithfulness. 

3. The chosen three. 

II. Jesus Alone with God in the Solitude. 

1. His great agony of soul. 

2. His three prayers. 

3. His submission to the will of God. 

III. He Gently Rebukes, then Excuses Disciples. 




The Kiss of Judas 



Geiger 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



139 



IV. Betrayal. 

1. Judas brings officers to arrest Him. 

2. The Kiss. — Rebuke. 

3. "Whom seek ye?"— Effect of Words on Multitude. 

V. The arrest. 

1. Christ's words to the officers. 

2. Christ bound. 

3. Brought before High Priest. 

Point of Contact: Have you ever had something 
very hard to do? Perhaps it was something that you 
disliked to do very much, and it seemed as though you 
just could not do it. How do you suppose you could 
receive courage and strength enough to do it? Jesus 
showed us the way. 

Lesson Statement: How sad and yet how glad must 
the disciples of the Lord have felt as they left that upper 
room where Jesus had told them one was to betray Him 
and that He was to be with them but a little time longer, 
where He had washed their feet, served them with 
the Sacrament, and blessed and prayed for them. 

Sad because of the danger to their loved Jesus, and 
the fear of parting, glad because of the beautiful bless- 
ing and prayer He had offered. 

Thus these men left that upper room and went out 
into the dark night, for Jesus wanted to go to a place 
where He often went to pray unto the Father. They 
went to a garden which was a half mile beyond the walls 
of the city of Jerusalem, called Gethssmane. He left 
eight of them at the gate of the garden while he with 
Peter, James and John went into the garden. He wanted 
to pray for He said: "My soul is exceeding sorrowful; 
even unto death," and asked them to "Tarry ye here and 



140 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



watch with me." Going still further into the garden, this 
time alone, feeling the awful bitterness of being hated by 
men who sought to take His life, realizing that He was 
soon to die, and by such a cruel death, His soul was in- 
deed sorrowful, and He dreaded the pain and suffering 
before Him. His was a higher, more sensitive nature 
than ours. He felt pain all the more intensely and, as 
He knelt to pray to His heavenly Father, and then, in the 
agony of His spirit, "fell on His face" and prayed, drops 
of blood came through the pores of His body ; and in the 
weakness of the flesh He said : "Oh my Father, if it is 
possible, let this cup pass from me." Then knowing 
and realizing as He did that it was necessary that He 
should die, that all the children of men should live, that 
they should be made alive again after death, and loving 
all of us, He said: "Nevertheless not as I will, but as 
Thou wilt." Let us repeat these words. 

An angel came and strengthened Him, sent by the 
Father who loved Him, and who so loved us and all the 
world that He sent Jesus to die for us, that all who 
"should believe on Him should not perish but have ever- 
lasting life." When Jesus said, "Let this cup pass from 
me," He meant the trial, the agony of body and soul 
which would be His when wicked men should take and 
kill Him;. He alone was capable of such extreme suffer- 
ing, and He alone could thus bow in submission to God's 
will in such an hour. . 

The weakness of all other men was shown in that 
though the Lord had bade His disciples to "Tarry and 
watch with me," yet because of their weariness of body, 
they had fallen asleep, thus leaving Him alone in that 
great hour of suffering, save as the angel came and He 
felt the presence of the Father. 

Probably two hours had passed since Jesus left the 



142 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



lighted upper room, led His disciples to Gethsemane, 
and went under the shade of the olive trees to pray. 
Judas, you will remember left the room before the others ; 
and while we do not know what he did while away, no 
doubt he had gone to the wicked priests to whom he 
had promised to betray Jesus, and they had gathered a 
great crowd of soldiers, and servants, and wicked men 
intent upon arresting One who had done nothing among 
them but healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, caus- 
ing the lame to walk, teaching them how to serve God, 
and blessing them in every possible way, for He "had 
gone about doing good." While this crowd, led by Judas, 
approached the garden, we can imagine the change that 
came to Jesus as the angel strengthened Him, as God 
blessed Him. A change from awful agony to a condition 
of wondrous calm and peace, for His fear had gone, and 
peace entered His soul with his willingness to do God's 
will. 

Scarcely had He risen when the sound of voices and 
the tramp of feet reached His ears, and a few moments 
later a body of men and soldiers, carrying lanterns and 
armed with swords and clubs, came upon Him. At their 
head was Judas. Stepping up to Jesus he saluted Him 
with a kiss. Jesus said as Judas kissed him: "Judas, be- 
trayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?" and turning 
to the crowd said : "Whom seek ye ?" The crowd an- 
swered : "Jesus of Nazareth." So majestic was Hiis ap- 
pearance and His words of "I am He" that "they went 
backward and fell to the ground." One of the disciples, 
thinking to defend the Lord, drew his sword and smote 
off the ear of one of the -servants, and here again Jesus 
showed His wonderful power and His love for men, for, 
instead of being angry with those who came to arrest 
Him, He did good to them that despitefully used Him, 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



143 



and touched the man's ear, and restored and healed him. 

He asked the multitude, "Be ye come as against a 
thief, with swords and staves ?" and they took and bound 
Him and brought Him to the high priest's house, and 
from priest to priest, and finally to the Roman governor, 
during which time they could prove nothing against Him 
save that He had done many wonderful things. And peo- 
ple believed that He was the Son of God, and the wicked 
one put it into the hearts of these wicked priests to put 
Him to death. They treated Him very unkindly, for they 
struck Him with fists and sticks, spat upon Him, and 
mocked Him. But through it all He was unmoved and 
patient, for He had perfect faith in God. 

Application: How was Jesus able to stand so many 
trials and sorrows? What did He say about doing His 
Father's will? How should we feel about doing our 
Heavenly Father's will? How can we receive strength 
and courage to face trials or sorrows? 



LESSON 33. CRUCIFIXION AND BURIAL. 

Texts: Matt. 27:27-66; Mark 15:20-47; Luke 23: 
26-53; John 19:17-42. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. LXIV-LXV; Dictionary of the Bible 
(Wm. Smith). 

Aim: True greatness consists in losing self for the 
good of others. 

Memory Gem: "Father, forgive them, for they know 
not what they do." 

Pictures: "Christ Before Pilate"(Munkacsy) ; "Bear- 
ing the Cross" (De Crespi) ; "The Crucifixion" (Michael 
Angelo) ; "Entombment" (Hofmann). 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



145 



Outline : 

I. Jesus on the Way to Golgotha or Calvary. 

1. His bodily weakness. 

2. Sympathy manifested. 

a. By women. 

b. Christ's sympathy for them. 

II. The Crucifixion. 

1. Love for others shown. 

a. "Father forgive them" (Luke 23:34). 

b. "Mother, behold thy Son" (John 19:26). 

c. "Today shalt thou be," etc. (Luke 23:42). 

d. "I thirst," etc. (John 19:28). The only thought 
of self. 

e. "It is finished" (John 19:40). 

f. "Father, into Thy hands" (Luke 23:46). 

III. Significance of His Death. 

1. Redemption of mankind. 

2. Universal resurrection. 

3. Love for all. 

IV. The Burial. 

1. Joseph of Arimathea requests Christ's body of 
Pilate. 

2. Preparation for burial. 

3. Place of burial. 

a. In the garden. 

b. Joseph's new tomb. 

c. Describe ancient mode of burial. 

Point of Contact: Why did our Heavenly Father 
send Jesus to the world? He not only came to teach us 
and show us how to live, but also to die for the sins 
of the world. When Jesus left the garden, what did He 
know was His Father's will? Our Heavenly Father 

22 



146 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



was willing that His Beloved Son should die so that all 
of His other children should live again. Jesus was the 
only one great enough to make this possible. (Teachers, 
in telling how Jesus died, do not emphasize the awful- 
ness of it, but His willingness, forgiveness, and great- 
ness.) 

Lesson Statement: The mockery of the trial of Jesus 
was over, the indignities heaped upon Him had been 
borne in majestic silence, and He had been condemned 
to die. The wicked and mistaken people demanded 
His death saying: "Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Let 
His blood be upon us and upon our children." 

So Jesus, who had done no harm to a living soul, 
but who had done so much good, was led out of the 
city to Mount Calvary. 

The distress of parting with His disciples, the agony 
in the Garden of Gethsemane, the horror of arrest, sur- 
rounded by a noisy, angry crowd of men in the dark- 
ness of night, lighted only by torches and lanterns, the 
humiliations inflicted on Him as He was passed from 
one priest to another, the scourging inflicted under order 
of Pilate the Roman governor, together with the loss of 
sleep, had so weakened Him. that when the heavy cross 
was placed upon His shoulder and they led Him out of 
the city, He staggered and stumbled, until He could 
carry it no longer. So a man named Simon carried it for 
Him. How many, many men since then have wished they 
could have rendered such service to Him! 

Great crowds gathered along the way, and the peo- 
ple mocked and shouted at Him. Not a man among 
them raised a voice in protest or offered a word of sym- 
pathy; but we are told that some women who must have 
felt a human sympathy showed it and their grief by beat- 
ing upon their breasts and uttering lamentations. This 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



147 



touched Jesus who said : "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep 
not for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your chil- 
dren." 

Jesus was offered a drink which contained some 
things which would somewhat deaden the pain of the 
body. But He knew it was necessary for Him to die, to 
die for the sins of the world, the only means by which 
a victory could be won over the grave, by which all men 
could be brought forth out of their graves, and that He 
might have the right to plead His death before the 
Father as an offering for our sins. He was willing to 
suffer fully, freely, hence H,e declined the drink. 

They then nailed Him on the cross and raised Him 
up between two thieves, and there He died, thus accom- 
plishing the greatest act of all the world and for all 
time. 

What a wonderful picture can we see as we look 
upon Him thus cruelly nailed, for while He "suffered as 
never man suffered," yet His thoughts were of others, of 
mercy and forgiveness, forgetfulness of self and thought- 
fulness for others. 

As the men proceeded with their awful task, Jesus, 
instead of feeling anger towards them, prayed : "Father, 
forgive them : for they know not what they do." 

The Mother of Jesus was there, and oh, how sorrow- 
ful and sad.. Jesus saw her and also saw John the be- 
loved disciple, and wanting him to take His place and 
care for His mother, He said "Woman, behold thy son!" 
and to John "Behold thy mother !" John led Mary tend- 
erly away. 

One of the thieves, feeling that Jesus had done no 
harm and ought not to be punished as he, the thief, was 
being punished, and recognizing Him as called of God, 
said : "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy 



Entombment Hofmann 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 149 

kingdom." To which Jesus replied : "Verily I say unto 
thee, this day shalt thou be with me in paradise." 

Only once did He seem to think of Himself. Then He 
said, "I thirst ;" and they soaked a sponge in vinegar 
which they fastened to a pole and pressed to the Lord's 
fevered lips. Then realizing that His act was accepted 
by the Father and that His mission in the flesh had been 
accomplished, He said in a loud voice, "It is finished!" 
Continuing and addressing the Father He said : "Father, 
into Thy hands I commend my spirit," and bowed His 
head and died. 

There has never been and never will be a greater 
act than His, nor one which means so much to every 
man, woman and child that ever lived or ever will live 
on- the earth; for it meant that though all must die, all 
shall live again : though all do wrong, yet if we will 
repent and obey His gospel, He will plead with the 
Father for our forgiveness and the Father will forgive 
us for His sake, and we shall live with Him, forever 
more. All the works Jesus performed on earth were 
works of love ; but this was the greatest of all, for it is 
true that "Greater love hath no man than this, that a 
man lay down his life for. his friends." Jesus gave His 
life for us. 

There were some men among the Jews who did not 
want Jesus killed, and we know of two who grieved and 
were bold enough and good enough to do something for 
Him after His death. Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate 
for the body, and he with Nicodemus — the man who 
went to Jesus by night to learn the gospel — took the 
body and lovingly but hurriedly, for their Sabbath ap- 
proached, wrapped it in clean linen, placing with it 
sweet spices, myrrh and aloes, as was customary with 
Jews who could afford these expensive things. 



150 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 

The body was then taken to Joseph's new tomb 
which was a cave cut out of the rock in a garden not 
far from Calvary. There they lovingly laid away the 
beloved form, and leaving, placed a large stone over the 
entrance to it. Two of the "Marys" and probably others 
watched these doings from afar, no doubt wishing that 
they could have the privilege of assisting in this loving 
service. 

Application: Which did Jesus love the most, Him- 
self or His Father's other children? How did He prove 
it? Which is greater to love ourselves or others most? 
Can you think of any way in which you can prove to 
your mother that you love her? your father, your 
brother, or sister? Your playmates? 



LESSON 34. THE RESURRECTION. 

Text: John 20:1-18; Matt. 28:1-18; Mark 16:1-8; 
Luke 24:1-12. 

References: Primary Department Bible Stories, No. 
32 ; Weed's Life of Christ for the Young. 

Note: While reference is made to full chapters in 
Weed's "Life of Christ," teachers will observe that the 
lessons are not intended to bring out all their contents. 

Pictures: "Holy Women at the Tomb" (Bouguer- 
eau) ; "Easter Morning" (Hofmann) ; "Touch Me not" 
(C. Schonherr); "He is Risen" (Plockhorst). 

Aim: Through the power of Jesus, all of us will be 
resurrected. 

Memory Gem: "I am the resurrection and the life. 
He that believeth in Me, though he were dead yet shall 
he live." 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



151 



Outline: 

I. The Sepulchre. 

1. Visited by Mary. 

a. Object of visit. 

b. "Who shall roll away the stone?" 

2. The stone taken away. 

a. Mary's surprise. 

b. How it had happened 

3. Jesus gone. 

a. Mary's grief and anxiety. 

b. Hastens with news to Peter and John. 

4. Visited by Peter and John. 

II. The Angels. 

1 Seen by Mary. 

2. Speak to her. 

3. Mary's reply. — Her deep grief. 

III. The Risen Lord Appears. 

1 Not recognized at first. 

2. The recognition. — Mary's great joy. 

Point of Contact: Has some one whom you loved 
very dearly ever died and been buried? How very, 
very much we would like to see our loved ones again ! 
Can we imagine such happiness! 

Lesson Statement: The wicked priests who had thus 
caused Jesus to be crucified, remembering that He had 
said : "that after three days I will rise again," went to 
Pilate and asked that a guard of soldiers be placed at the 
tomb to prevent the taking away of His body. Such a 
guard was placed, and the entrance to the tomb was 
sealed. 



Women at the Tomb Bouguereau 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



153 



Mary and other women wanting to further anoint 
the body and lovingly care for it when they would not 
be so hurried as when He was first laid away, prepared 
spices and ointment and patiently waited for their Sab- 
bath (which is our Saturday) to pass that they might 
perform this labor of love. 

"Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, had passed, and 
the night preceding the dawn of the most memorable 
Sunday in history was well nigh spent, while the Roman, 
guard kept watch over the sealed sepulchre wherein lay 
the body of the Lord Jesus. While it was yet dark,' the 
earth began to quake ; an angel of the Lord descended in 
glory, rolled back the massive stone from the portal of 
the tomb, and sat upon it. His countenance was brilliant 
as lightning, and his rainment was as the driven snow for 
whiteness. The soldiers, paralyzed with fear, fell to the 
earth as dead men. When they partially recovered from 
their fright, they fled from the place." (Talmage.) 

As dawn broke, the loving women, heavy-hearted, 
speaking in whispers, started for the tomb bearing spices 
and ointment. Remembering the heavy stone placed at 
the opening, they asked : "Who shall roll away the 
stone?" Little did they' know of the surprise which 
awaited them, and what a strange sight would greet them 
when they reached the spot! Arriving at the tomb they 
saw the stone had been rolled aside and a beautiful angel 
was there. Although he was beautiful and glorious, 
they were afraid. He said : "Fear not ye; for I know that 
ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here; for He 
is risen." "Go : quickly and tell the disciples." 

The women were frightened and wonderingly fled. 
They did not understand the resurrection. Mary Magda- 
lene seems to have been the first to reach the disciples 
whom she told of the disappearance of the body of Jesus, 



154 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



but she thought they had simply taken Him away and 
laid Him elsewhere. 

Peter and John rushed to the tomb and entering 
saw the linen clothes in which Jesus had been wrapped, 
lying empty; and they left wondering, not understanding. 

Mary Magdalene had followed them back to the 
grave, and still lingered after they had gone, grieving 
over the loss of the body of Jesus whom she loved. She 
approached the tomb and to her surprise saw two angels, 
two, beautiful angels in white. One asked her "Woman, 
why weepesf thou?" and she answered, "Because they 
have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they 
have laid Him." With eyes full of tears she turned away 
to find the body of her Lord, and again heard the words 
"Woman, why weepest thou?" She could not see clearly 
through her tears, and supposing the One who ques- 
tioned her to be the gardener, she said, "Sir, if thou have 
borne Him hence tell me where thou hast laid Him, and 
I will take Him away." 

Can you imagine her surprise, her gladness, the 
change from the depths of sorrow to the highest joy, 
when she heard her name uttered in the loving way she 
used to hear from the lips of Him whose body she 
sought? For He who had asked her: "Woman, why 
weepest thou?" and who now said, "Mary!" was Jesus 
Himself, risen from the dead. Before His death Jesus 
said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth 
in Me, though he were dead yet shall he live." Just think 
this promise is to every one of us, to our fathers and 
mothers, to all whom we love. Let us learn these words 
of Jesus so we may always remember and keep them in 
our hearts as did Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the words 
of the angel when he told her she should have a Son, 



Easter Morning Hofmann 



156 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



that they may always be a source of strength and com- 
fort to us. 

And now on Easter morning, that beautiful Sunday 
in the spring, when we hear "He is risen !" we will know 
its meaning and join in the glad message. 

Application: (If the children know the miemory gem, 
''For God so loved the world," etc., have them repeat it.) 
Now we know better what it means. Jesus healed the 
sick, did all manner of good deeds, showed us how to 
live. What greater things did He do for us? He had 
power to be resurrected. If he had not died for us, we 
never would have lived after we died. Now what will 
happen? We wjll have our bodies again as Jesus had 
H^is. What will happen to our dear ones who are al- 
ready dead? Do we expect ever to see them again? 
How is this possible? Even though the cruel men could 
crucify Him, what was it they could not do? What did 
Jesus say about the resurrection? (Have class again re- 
peat memory gem.) 



LESSON 35. THE ASCENSION. 

Text: John 20:19-31; 21; Luke 24:13-49; Acts 
1 :1-11. 

Reference: Weed's "A Life of Christ for the 
Young," Chap. LXXII. 

Aim: By obedience to His teachings we may be with 
Him when He comes again. 

Memory Gem: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye 
gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken 
up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as 
ye have seen Him go into heaven." — Acts 1:11. 

Picture: The Ascension (Hofmann). 

Outline : 




The Ascension 



15.8 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



I. Jesus Meets with His Apostles. 

1. His teachings and instructions. 

2. Leads them to Mount of Olives. 

II. He Ascends to Heaven. 

1. In the presence of His disciples. 

III. The Angels. 

1. Their declaration. 

Point of Contact and Lesson Statement: When 
men die, where do they leave all their gold, houses, 
beautiful clothes? 

If a person has done many kind acts and been obe- 
dient to the teachings of the Savior, what will be waiting 
for him when he goes to heaven? YVe cannot take any of 
our earthly possessions with us. but we can have treas- 
ures waiting for us if we do good acts and live good 
lives. Think how much good Jesus did! He spent His 
whole life just doing good. Besides this, He had never 
done a single thing that was wrong in His whole life! 
There surely were a great many treasures or blessings 
waiting for Jesus. 

Lesson Statement: The Bible tells us of many peo- 
ple who saw Jesus after His resurrection, and we can 
imagine how happy it must have made them, for not 
only did they thus know that their great Leader and 
Lord had risen from the grave and they again beheld His 
face, heard His voice and felt the joy of His presence; 
but they knew also that they and all people should live 
again, should come forth out of the grave when God 
should call them. 

Jesus gave the disciples some wonderful instructions, 
among others saying: "Go ye into all the world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth 
and is baptized shall be saved." He promised many gifts 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



159 



of the Spirit to those who showed they loved Him by 
keeping His commandments, by having faith, by sorrow 
for and ceasing to sin, by being baptized as He had been 
baptized, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Jesus told Peter to "Feed my lambs" — by which He 
meant that Peter was to teach the children the gospel. 
This instruction has been given to men in this day and is 
given to each of the teachers in the Sunday Schools, and 
this we are trying to do each Sunday in our classes, for 
we know the words of Jesus are true "He that believeth 
and is baptized shall be saved" and that we have many 
gospel blessings such as the blesssing of children, the 
healing of the sick, beautiful dreams, and many others. 
And our elders are going to all the world just as Jesus 
said to "preach the gospel to every creature." 

Jesus told the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until 
they should be given a very great blessing. 

Then, forty days after His crucifixion, He led the 
eleven apostles toward the Mount of Olives; and when 
they had gone "as far as to Bethany," a very wonderful 
thing happened. It was now full time that Jesus should 
go to His Father in heaven. 

I wonder if, as He stood there and looked over the 
surrounding country, His thoughts went back to the time 
when the angels sang to the shepherds on the plain when 
He was born ; of how He lay in the manger when the 
shepherds came to worship Him; of His being blessed in 
the temple and the joy of Simeon and Anna ; of His first 
visit to Jerusalem and remaining at the temple ; of being 
baptized in Jordan by John ; of the hours of sweet peace- 
ful rest He found in the home of Mary and Martha; 
the raising of Lazarus ; the triumphal entry into Jerusa- 
lem; of that Last Supper in the upper room; of His suf- 



160 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



fering in Gethsemane, betrayal, and arrest; the un- 
just trial: the cruel crucifixion; and the glorious resur- 
rection ! 

And now His work on earth. was finished ; and it was 
time for Him to go home, to that heavenly home where 
God the Father dwells, to Whom He could say : "Father, 
I have done all you sent me on earth to do!" 

"As He stood with His apostles, He lifted up His 
hands and blessed them : and while He yet spake. He 
rose from their midst, and they looked upon Him as He 
ascended until a cloud received Him out of their sight." 

Now another strange and worderful thing happened, 
for as the apostles thus stood, two personages, clothed in 
white apparel appeared by them, saying: "Ye men of 
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same 
JesUs, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so 
come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into 
heaven." What rejoicing there must have been in heaven 
when the Father's own beloved Son returned after finish- 
ing His work so well! How the angels must have sung 
with joy ! 

The declaration the angels made of His second com- 
ing has not been fulfilled, after all these years ; but some 
day Jesus is coming back to this very earth in the clouds 
of heaven with hosts of angels. If we are living, we may 
be caught up to meet Him. If we have died, He may 
bring us down with Him. Would not that be glorious? 
It rests with us whether or not we are with Jesus. 

We would surely have to store up a great many 
treasures in heaven in order to be blessed enough to be 
with Him when He comes again. 

Application: What kind of people must we be? What 
are some things we must do in order to be good enou°rh ? 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



161 



LESSON 36. THE GREAT PENTECOST. 
Text: Acts 2:1-41. 

Reference: Smith's Dictionary of Bible. 
Memory Gem : "Then said Peter unto them : Re- 
pent and be baptized, every one, etc. Acts 2:38. 
Aim: Baptism is essential to salvation. 
Outline: 

I. Meeting of the Apostles. 

1. In a house. 

2. The heavenly manifestation. 

a. The Holy Ghost. 

b. The gift of tongues. 

II. The Public Gathering, 

1. The occasion. 

2. Jews from all nations. 

3. Manifestation of the Spirit. 

III. Peter's Great Testimony. 

1. Inspired by the Holy Ghost. 

2. To whom given. 

a. Unbelieving Jews. 

b. Its effect on the people. 

1. Their question. 

2. Peter's answer ; repeat Acts 2:38. 

3. Conversion and baptism. 

Point of Contact: Who is now the president of 
Jesus's church? Whom had Jesus left at the head of His 
church after He was crucified? When Jesus is not on 
the earth, He chooses very good and great men to be the 
presidents of His church. He gives them His power and 
all people should obey their teachings as they tell us 
what Jesus wants us to do. 

Lesson Statement: The Apostles returned to Jeru- 
salem after seeing Jesus ascend into heaven, full of joy 

23 



162 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



and determined to do as had He told them — "tarry ye 
in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power 
from on high" — and for a week they continued in prayer 
and supplication, attending to their duties in the church. 

On the morning of the fiftieth day after that sad 
evening when Jesus served the Sacrament, a day set 
apart for what they called the feast of Pentecost, the 
apostles "were all with one accord in one place," wor- 
shiping and waiting, united in the bonds of love and 
God's service. 

"Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a 
rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where 
they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven 
tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and be- 
gan to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them 
utterance." Thus was the promise made the apostles by 
Jesus fulfilled ; for they were indeed, "endued with power 
from on high" — with the Holy Ghost and its gifts by 
which they were enabled to speak in other languages with 
such power that honest men could not fail to recognize 
and believe it. 

"And when this sound was heard the multitude came 
together" (revised version) — for that sound like a mighty 
wind was heard by thousands of Jews who were gath- 
ered from many nations, who spoke in different lan- 
guages. This crowd of people gathered around the house 
in the upper room of which the apostles were assembled 
and where the Holy Ghost rested upon them like tongues 
of fire. 

Wonderingly the people listened to the apostles, who 
thus filled with the Holy Ghost, preached of Jesus the 
crucified, who had been raised from the dead and had 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST 



163 



gone to sit on the right hand of God the Father. Testi- 
fying that He, Jesus, was both Lord and Christ. 

Amazed, the crowd listened, for whether they spoke 
one language or another, through the wondrous power of 
the Holy Ghost each heard in his own language, and they 
could not understand how such a thing were possible. 

Under the power of the Spirit inspiring the words of 
the apostles, they were "pricked in their hearts"- — that is 
they wondered if it was true that He, whom; the wicked 
people had crucified and against which they had raised no 
protest, was indeed the Lord and Christ, knowing if it 
were true that they had need to regret, to be sorry, to 
repent, and so they said: "Men and brethren, what shall 
we do?" How we wish that everybody would ask that 
question and get the same answer as did the people on 
that day, for Peter, who was the chief apostle, the presi- 
dent of the Twelve, arose and taught them the first prin- 
ciples and ordinances of the gospel; told them how they 
could be born again as Jesus told Nicodemus of the water 
and of the spirit, without which no man can enter God's 
kingdom. 

Peter said : "Repent and be baptized every one of you 
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and 
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; for this prom- 
ise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are 
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." 

Many in that crowd, three thousand of them, be- 
lieved the words of the apostles and were "born of the 
water," that day, for they were baptized. 

Think what joy was theirs, for even though they 
may have consented to the death of the Lord, or done 
other wrongs and committed other sins, now, because they 
had faith in God, faith in Jesus, faith in the Holy Ghost ; 
had repented of their sins and had gone down into the 



164 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



water and been baptized, God had forgiven them and they 
were "born again !" 

Our elders are preaching the same sweet gospel, and 
people can today secure forgiveness and have their sins 
washed away by obeying them as did the people on the 
day of the great Pentecost. Let us repeat part of Peter's 
words : (the memory gem) and remember what Peter 
said further — that the promise was to them that were 
"afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." 
Hence it is for us, for we were afar off and God has called 
us. 

Application: How was Jesus baptized by John? 
What did Jesus say to Nicodemus about the need of be- 
ing baptized? What did Peter say to the people on the 
day of Pentecost about baptism? How do the elders of 
our Church baptize? Who should be baptized? 



PART III 
CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



Joseph Smith the Prophet 



FOREWORD 



The fact that the teacher is now to teach stories 
from the history of our own time does not mean that 
the stories of Parts; I and II should be laid aside. Christ 
is the center of all religious teaching. There would have 
been no Restoration but for the fact that the world re- 
jected the Christ by rejecting His teachings. The Prophet 
Joseph, the great and blessed Restorer, was like Moses 
and Elijah a noble instrument for giving us again eter- 
nal truth. Therefore the story of our Church will be 
much like the story of the primitive Church with its per- 
fect organization, its holy ordinances, its spiritual gifts, 
and its perfect truths. At all stages cause the children to 
feel this. Never get away from the fact that Joseph the 
Prophet was divinely called to restore what had been 
given by Christ Himself. 

The following then is a statement of the Great Ob- 
jectives of "Stories from Church History." 

That Joseph Smith was called by our Heavenly 
Father to reestablish His Church with its officers and au- 
thority and the same principles and ordinances as those 
taught and practiced- by Jesus when on earth ; that He 
was obedient to the will of the Father ; that the authority 
of the Prophet Joseph has continued down through his 
successors to our time; and that we, if obedient, may en- 
joy all the blessings and privileges of the restored gospel. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Lesson 1 The Birth and Childhood of Joseph Smith 7 

Lesson 2 Heavenly Visitors 11 

Lesson 3 An Angel Flying 15 

Lesson 4 The Golden Plates 21 

Lesson 5 A Broken Promise 27 

Lesson 6 The Aaronic Priesthood Restored 31 

Lesson 7 The Three Witnesses 34 

Lesson 8 The Organization of the Church . . ■ 40 

Lesson 9 Hidden Gospel Records 44 

Lesson 10 The Church on the Move 49 

Lesson 11 The Wicked Rage 52 

.Lesson 12 The First Temple in Our Day 57 

Lesson 13 True to the Faith 62 

Lesson 14 Niauvoo the Beautiful — A Day of God's Power.. 66 

Lesson 15 The Martyrdom 71 

Lesson 16 Another Moses Called — Brigham Young 75 

Lesson 17 The Mormon Battalion 79 

Lesson 18 Crossing the Plains 83 

Lesson 19 The Crickets and the Gulls 87 

Lesson 20 John Taylor 92 

Lesson 21 Wilford Woodruff 96 

Lesson 22 Lorenzo Snow 100 

Lesson 23 Joseph F. Smith 103 

Lesson 24 Heber J. Grant 109 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Joseph Smith the Prophet 2 

Joseph Reading the Bible 10 

The First Vision 14 

Visit of the Angel Moroni 19 

Moroni Shows Joseph the Plates 24 

Copy of Characters on the Plates 29 

John the Baptist Conferring the Aaronic Priesthood on 

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery 33 

The Angel Showing the Plates of the Book of Mormon to 

the Witnesses 37 

The Church Organized 42 

Title Page of the First Edition of the Book of Mormon.. .. 46 

The Kirtland Temple 59 

The Salt Lake Temple 61 

The Prophet Rebuking the Guards 65 

President Brigham Young 77 

The Crossing of the Plains 85 

The Seagull Monument 90 

President John Taylor 95 

President Wilford Woodruff 98 

President Lorenzo Snow 102 

President Joseph F. Smith 106 

President Heber J. Grant Ill 



Church History Stories 



LESSON 1. THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF 
JOSEPH SMITH 

Reference: "From Plowboy to Prophet," pp. 1-6; 
"The Latter-day Prophet/' Chapter 1 ; Joseph Fielding 
Smith's "Essentials in Church History" (very helpful. 
Every teacher should read the chapters from it without 
fail). 

Aim: God manifests His love for His children by 
sending a prophet to restore the Gospel. 

Memory Gem: "Surely the Lord God will do noth- 
ing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the 
prophets." 

Introduction : 

I. The Christian Era. 

1. The Church and the Apostles. 

2. Spread of Christianity. 

3. Church gf Christ taken from the earth. 

II. Birth of Joseph Smith. 

1. A humble home. 

2. A chosen one of God. 

III. Family. 

1. Poor but honest and industrious. 

2. Children's help needed. 

3. Move to New York. 

IV. Religious Excitement. 

1. Joseph, now fourteen years old. 

2. Desirous of knowing which is the true church. 

Point of Contact : Let us name some of the wonder- 
ful prophets who lived before Jesus came to the earth. 



8 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Which do you particularly love? Which of these did 
our Heavenly Father speak to? Today we are going to 
learn of a prophet just as wonderful as any of these 
ancient prophets — one whom both the Father and Jesus 
visited. Perhaps some of our grandparents may have 
known this prophet ; for he has not been dead such a 
very great number of years, and he lived in our own 
United States. He had as important a work to do as 
any of the prophets we read of in the Bible. When you 
learn more about him, you will love and honor him greatly. 

Lesson Statement: We have been learning of good 
men to whom our Heavenly Father gave messages to 
the people who lived long, long ago, and also of the Lord 
Jesus Christ when He lived on the earth, born just like 
children, whose birth we celebrate on Chirstmas day 
each year. 

Let us name some of the prophets who lived before 
Jesus came to earth. Which do }'OU particularly love? 
Is it not wonderful and splendid that God does speak to 
his prophets and that they give to the people God's 
word? Should we not love them and obey their teach- 
ings ! 

When Jesus was no longer on earth, whom did He 
appoint to be leader of His Church upon the earth? Jesus 
is always the leader, the head of His Church; but He 
appoints a man, who is a prophet of God, to represent 
Him on earth. After Jesus' s death the apostles carried on 
His work. They traveled from country to country bear- 
ing the Gospel tidings, and many people believed and 
were baptized and became members of His Church. But 
after the death of the apostles, errors crept into the 
Church, men turned away from. God and taught the ideas 
of man instead of those beautiful, pure -gospel truths 
Jesus had taught. They lost the Spirit of God, and the 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 9 



priesthood was taken from the earth. So eighteen hun- 
dred years after Jesus was on earth, there were many dif- 
ferent churches, each claiming to be the Church of Christ, 
and something happened that you will all be interested in, 
the story of which will be one of the most interesting 
you have ever heard as also one of the best, because it 
is all true. 

Wte shall commence with the birth of another baby — 
not hundreds and hundreds of years ago, nor way on 
the other side of the earth, but just a little over a hun- 
dred years ago, in dur own United States. 

In a little town named Sharon in the State of Ver- 
mont there was a little frame house surrounded by some 
beautiful shade trees, where lived a poor but happy fam- 
ily by the name of Smith. The father's name was Jo- 
seph, the mother's Lucy. They had six sons and three 
daughters. It was just two days before Christmas — 
the twenty-third of December, 1805 — when our Heavenly 
Father gave this family a splendid gift — one we thank 
Him for, too — a little boy baby. They did not then know 
what a wonderful man that boy would become. They 
did not know that he was to be called by the Heavenly 
Father to be a prophet. 

When old enough he was christened and given the 
same name as that of his father, Joseph Smith. 

The Smith family was poor, and all had to work 
hard to get food and clothing; but all were willing to 
do so just as soon as they were large enough to work, 
so, when Joseph was big enough, he assisted his father 
in the farm work. In the picture you can see Joseph 
ploughing with a yoke of oxen. He had little time for 
school ; but, in the evenings when his work was done, he 
studied at home and learned reading and writing and 
other things. Nevertheless he was happy. Can you 




£> if/SL 



Joseph Reading the Bible 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 11 



tell why? Yes, because he was helping- his father and 
mother. 

When Joseph was ten years old, the family moved 
to Palmyra, in the State of New York. Four years later 
they went to a town named Manchester in the same 
State. 

At that time the people became very much excited 
over religious matters. 

Almost every evening meetings were! held in the 
churches. Joseph thought he ought to join a church, but 
as each one claimed to be right, yet all were different, 
he could not decide what to do. How was he to know 
which of them was the true church? How little he 
then knew what the Heavenly Father had in store for 
him! He had never read that part of the Bible where 
our memory gem, is to be foVund, which says, "Surely the 
Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret 
unto His servants the prophets." He did not know that 
God was soon to call him to be a prophet, show him some 
wonderful things, and tell him splendid truths. Next 
Sunday we shall learn how. 

Application: How many of you have been to fast 
meeting? What have you heard people say there about 
Joseph Smith? How many have heard our papas and 
mamas say that they knew he was a true prophet? 

Many, many people loved Joseph Smith, and many 
who have never seen him believe that he was a prophet 
of God. When you hear the story of his wonderful life, 
you will see why they feel that way. 

LESSON 2. HEAVENLY VISITORS 

Reference: "From Plowboy to Prophet," pp. 7-9; 
"The Latter-day Prophet," Chapter 11; Smith's "Es- 

24 



12 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



sentials in Church History," Chapter 7. (The last ref- 
erence is very good. All teachers should read Smith's 
"Essentials" from cover to cover as soon as possible that 
they may 1 get a general view of the history of the 
Church.) 

Aim,: Rich blessing answer the prayer of faith. 

Memory Gem : "If any of you lack wisdom, let him 
ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and up- 
braideth not ; and it shall be given him." 

Song: "Joseph Smith's First Prayer," Sunday School 
Song Book. 

Outline: 

I. Joseph in Doubt. 

1. Goes to the Bible. 

2. The passage. 

3. His Prayer. 

II. The Glorious Answer. 

1. The two heavenly Beings. 

2. God's voice. 

3. Joseph's question 

4. Jesus's answer. 

Point of Contact: What do you do every night be- 
fore going to bed? How many pray in the morning? 
At what other times do you pray? To whom do you 
pray? Why do you pray? If you expect your prayers to 
be answered, what must you have? Joseph Smith was 
very much in doubt about something, and oh, he wanted 
to know the truth so badly! Would you. like to hear 
what he did? 

Story: Joseph thought surely he could learn what 
to do from the Bible, for God gave that book that His 
children might be able to learn and do His will. So one 
night he took down the large family Bible and began to 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 13 



read its sacred pages. It was a big book with so much 
in it that it would have taken Joseph many weeks to read 
it. How was he to know where to read ? He did not 
know it, but God was leading him even in this reading; 
so he opened-, to the fifth verse, of the first chapter of the 
Epistle of James and read, "If any of you lack wisdom, 
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and 
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Let us re- 
peat the verse. 

These words made him stop and think as he seems 
to be doing in the picture. He knew that he lacked wis- 
dom, for he wanted to know which church was the true 
church ; and it seemed to him that this verse told him 
how to find out — to ask God ; and the promise was that 
God would answer him. Joseph decided to do that. He 
closed the Bible and went to bed, no doubt still think- 
ing of the answer God had given him through the Bible, 
as to the way he was to learn which was the true church. 
But he little dreamed what a wonderful answer he would 
get the next day, which means so much to you and to us 
and to all the world. 

The next morning he got up bright and early, left 
the house quietly, and went to a grove of trees not far 
from his father's home. It was a beautiful spring morn- 
ing. The sun gilded the hill tops, the birds sang their 
sweet songs, and the air was scented with the fragrance 
of flowers. 

Finding a quiet place where no one was likely to 
come nor see him, Joseph knelt down and offered a prayer 
to our Heavenly Father. Although the evil spirit tried to 
darken Joseph's mind, he could not prevail, for Joseph 
called upon the Father in the name of His Son, Jesus 
Christ, and he saw an exceedingly bright light coming 
down from heaven. He was much surprised at this 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



15 



strange sight, but a sweet, peaceful feeling entered his 
heart, and he was not afraid. As this light reached the 
tree tops, Joseph saw in the midst of it two Heavenly 
Beings. They were in the form of men, but far more 
glorious and beautiful. They looked exactly alike. One 
pointing to the other said, "Joseph, this is my beloved 
Son, hear Him." Then Joseph knew that he was look- 
ing on our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

As soon as Joseph was able to speak, he asked 
Jesus which of the churches was the true church. He was 
surprised when the Lord told him that all of the churches 
had departed from the right way, that they had been set 
'sup by man and not by God, that none taught the true 
gospel, and that he was not toj join any of them. 

Then the Lord told Joseph that in due time the 
true church would be set up again on the earth, and 
that, if he were true and faithful, he would be chosen 
to be its leader and prophet. 

Filled with wonder and surprise, Joseph returned 
home. 

He had learned the truth of the saying, "If any of 
you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to 
all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be 
given him." Let us repeat it again. 



LESSON 3. AN ANGEL FLYING 

Reference: "From Plowboy to Prophet," pp. 10-19; 
"The Latter-day Prophet," Chapters 3 and 4; Smith's 
"Essentials in Church History," Chapter 8. 

Aim: The Lord tests His servants to prove their 
worth. 

Memory Gem: Be true to truth, fearless of man, 
and God's blessings are yours. 



16 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Song: "Dare to do Right." 
Outline : 

I. Joseph Tells His Wonderful Story. 

1. How received. 

2. Joseph's courage. 

3. Joseph's prayer, three years afterwards. 

4. The answer. 

II. The Angel's Message. 

1. Tells of the golden plates. 

a. History of what people. 

b. Gospel teachings of the plates. 

2. Joseph to translate. — Message to go to all the 
world. 

3. Message given three times. 

III. The Next Day. 

1. Moroni again appears. 

2. Joseph tells his father. — Receives sympathy and 
encouragement. 

3. Visits the Hill Cumorah. — Golden plates seen. 

4. Moroni's instructions. 

Point of Contact: What hard task have you had to 
do? Did you keep on trying or did you give up? Why 
is it best to keep on trying? What about the next hard 
task, even though harder than the first? Joseph Smith 
had a very wonderful but hard task to do. Let us see 
how the Lord found out if he was brave enough and good 
enough to do it. 

Story: How happy Joseph must have been as he 
thought of the beautiful vision he had seen. Now he 
knew that man was in the same form as our Heavenly 
Father ! That the Lord Jesus Christ is exactly like Him, 
and that He is really God's Son! 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



i; 



Joseph thought others would be glad to know these 
things too, and supposed that it would make them happy 
also, so he hastened to tell his friends of the splendid 
vision that God had given him and of the startling fact 
that none of the churches were right, nor had the true 
Gospel of the Lord. One of the ministers that had 
seemed so deeply interested in Joseph and, whom Joseph 
thought, would be delighted to learn how God had blest 
him, was one of the first whom he told. What was his 
surprise when, instead of showing gladness, this min- 
ister became angry. Instead of accepting his story as 
true, he scolded him, saying that he did not believe him, 
that he could not have seen Heavenly Beings for they 
no longer came to the earth, and called him a wicked 
boy. So also did all those whom he thought to be 
friends make fun of him, and try to make him unhappy 
and to deny that he had seen a vision. But Joseph knew 
that he had seen Heavenly Beings, had talked with them, 
had heard their voices, and had received a wonderful 
message from Them. This he would not deny, even if 
everybody treated him unkindly and hated him. Although 
he was brave enough to stick to the truth, yet the action 
of the people about him made him unhappy. How glad 
we are that he was brave enough and strong enough to 
love God and the truth more than he feared man! 

Thus three years passed, and while Joseph treasured 
in his heart the remembrance of the vision, yet he won- 
dered whether God still loved him or whether he had 
displeased the Father because of some foolish things he, 
like many other boys, had done. One night in September 
of the third year after the Vision as he lay in his bed, 
he wanted God to forgive, him of his sins and follies, and 
to let him know whether or not He still loved him. Hav- 
ing the same faith as when he first went into the woods 



18 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



tid pray, he offered a sincere prayer, asking that 'God 
would answer him. 

While thus praying, a light entered the room which grew 
brighter until it was brighter than the noonday sun. Near 
his bed appeared an angel, clothed in beautiful white robes, 
with bare feet which did not quite touch the floor, his whole 
person glorious beyond description. The angel, calling Jos- 
eph by name, told him that his name was Moroni and that 
God had sent him to (Joseph with a message. The angel 
told him that God had a great work for Joseph to do ; that his 
name should be known for good and evil among all nations ; 
that many people would love him and many would hate 
him. 

Moroni told him of a wonderful record which had been 
hidden for hundreds of years. It was written on golden 
plates and buried in a hill not far from Joseph's home — a 
hill which Moroni called Cumorah. It contained a history of 
the people who lived on this land before and after the time 
Jesus was upon the earth. In it was told how Jesus visited 
these people, organized His Church among them, and taught 
them the true gospel, which gospel was taught in fulness 
in this record. 

The angel said that at the proper time the Lord would 
perrrtit Joseph to take these plates from their hiding place, 
enable him to translate them into the English language, and 
that the book made from them should finally go to all the 
world that the people might learn of the things the Lord 
had done among the early inhabitants of this land and 
what they should do to be saved. The angel explained many 
truths to Joseph and then departed. 

As Joseph lay thinking of what had taken place, the 
angel came again and repeated what he had' said before, 
adding some other things, and again departed. In a short 





Visit of the Angel Moroni 



20 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



time Moroni appeared for the third time, and, that Joseph 
might never forget the wonderful message that he had 
brought, told it all over again, adding that when he, Joseph, 
received the plates, he would have to take great care of them 
and hold them as a sacred gift from God. The angel disap- 
peared, and Joseph found that a new day was breaking — 
the angel's visits had lasted nearly the whole night. 

Joseph arose and attended to the usual chores, and, after 
breakfast, went to the fields with his father. Not having 
slept the night before he was too weak to work, and his 
father told him to go home. Joseph started for the house, 
but in trying to climb a fence, his strength failed him and he 
fell to the ground. He lay unconscious for some time. When 
he recovered, he looked up and saw the angel Moroni, sur- 
rounded by the same beautiful light, who called him by name, 
repeated what he had told him during the night, and instruct- 
ed him to go back to his father and tell him what had taken 
place. . • '< . 

Joseph's father was astonished and interested in what 
Joseph told him, knew that it was the truth, and told Joseph 
to do as the angel instructed him. Joseph now felt better 
and went straight to the Hill Cumorah, to the place where 
the golden plates were buried. It had been shown to him 
in vision the night before, and he easily recognized the place. 

Joseph saw a rounded stone just above the ground, and 
loosening the soil around it, by means of a lever, he raised it 
up. It proved to be the top o'f a stone box in which lay the 
golden plates and some other things which will be described 
later. 

As Joseph naturally reached to pick up the plates, the 
Angel Moroni again appeared and stopped him, telling him 
that the time had not yet come for Joseph to get the sacred 
history; but, if he would come to that place on the same 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



21 



day each year for four years, and be good and true, the Lord 
would let him take the plates. 

Joseph replaced the stone lid, partly covered' it with 
earth as it had" been before, and returned home to begin 
preparing himself for the great mission to which God had 
called him. 

Application: Each one has a mission to perform, be 
it ever so humble. How can we prepare ourselves to per- 
form our missions ? We will all have to be honest if we are 
going to perform good missions, yet sometimes it takes 
courage to be honest. Can you tell of any time when you 
have been tempted to tell a lie because it seemed so much 
easier than to tell the truth? Were you strong enough to 
tell the truth anyway? What usually happens when a lie 
is told? 



LESSON 4. THE GOLDEN PLATES 

References: "From Plowboy to Prophet," pp. 20- 
26; "The Latter-day Prophet," Chapters 5, 7; Smith's "Es- 
sentials in Church History," pp. 56-64. 

Aim: The Lord helps those who show a willingness 
to serve Him. 

Memory Gem : A Child's Prayer. 

We bow our heads and close our eyes, 

While every little hand is still, 
And pray, O Father, unto Thee, 

That Thou wilt teach us of Thy will. 
Bless Thou our happy Sunday School, 

Our loving teachers every one, 
And wilt Thou bless each little child, 

That when our lessons here are done, 



22 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



We may remember all we've heard 
And take some little lesson home, 

That every thought and deed and word 
May prove us still Thy Very own. 

Outline: 

I. Four Years of Waiting. 

1. Work on the farm. 

2. In the mine. 

3. Marriage. 

II. Joseph Receives the Plates. 

1. At the Hill Cumorah. 

2. Description of the plates. (Show a loose leaf note- 
book with the rings binding the leaves.) 

3. To be shown to no one unless commanded by the 
Lord. 

4. Difficulty of taking care of them. 

III. Isaiah's Prophecy Fulfilled. 

1. Martin Harris's help. 

2. Prof. Anthon's testimony. 

Point of Contact. Today we are going to learn 
about one of the miost remarkable books ever written; one 
written many, many hundreds of years ago, before the peo- 
ple had printing presses and knew how to make paper and 
bind the pages between stiff board covers or leather. 

The men who wrote this wonderful book used, for this 
particular book, very thin sheets of gold about eight inches 
wide, held together with three golden rings passed through 
one edge. A strange feature was that there were three 
smaller rings fastened through the other edge of about one- 
third of the pages or sheets, which prevented their being 
opened. Each sheet was engraved on both sides with small 
characters, strange and unlike anything Joseph had ever seen 
before, the whole 1 book being about six inches thick. 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 23 



Story: Joseph continued helping his father on the 
farm, and sometimes went to work for other men, among 
them being a man by the name of Josiah Stoal, who had what 
he thought was a silver mjine. When Joseph had worked for 
Mr. Stoal about a month, he was convinced there was not 
a mine there and got Mr. Stoal to give up the work. Per- 
haps this work caused some people to call Joseph a ''money- 
digger" while the fact is that he was not digging for himself. 
What he did for Mr. Stoal was against his own judgment. 
During this time Joseph boarded with a family named Hafe, 
who had a daughter, Emma. Joseph and Emma g-rew to love 
each other, and in course of time they were married. Then 
Joseph returned to work for his father. 

On the 22nd of each September Joseph had gone to the 
Hill Cumorah, where he met the Angel Moroni who> contin- 
ued to teach him great truths and tell him what God wished 
him to do. 

At the end of the fourth year — September 22, 1827 — 
Joseph having gone as usual to the Hill Cumorah was met by 
Moroni, the angel, w ( ho delivered the plates to him. The 
angel told him to take the greatest care of them, not to 
let them pass from his hands, and to show them only to 
those to whom God would permjit him to. Joseph was to 
translate the leases which were not sealed, and then the 
angel would call for and take them again. This same angel, 
Moroni, had put those leaves together and hid them in the 
mountain many hundreds of years before, and by God's 
instructions had had charge of them ever since. (A further 
impression could be made upon the children, if the general 
form of the book illustrated by the use of a modern loose- 
leaf book of about the same size with the explanation that 
instead of paper the leaves were of gold. 

With (the plates were what is called a breastplate of 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 25 



gold such as could be used for covering the bosom of a 
large man, and attached to it, but so it could be removed, 
the Urim and Thummim, which looked like a large pair of 
spectacles with silver bows and clear stones instead of 
glasses set in the bows. We shall learn later what the Urim 
and Thummim was for. 

When it became known that Joseph had the plates, 
wicked men tried in every way to steal them from him ; 
but they did not succeed, for Joseph took good care of them 
and kept them hidden. These wicked men broke into Jos- 
eph's house many tinges in search of the plates, but Joseph, 
warned by the Lord, as was Joseph, the husband of Mary, 
long ago, hid them in different places so they could not be 
found. But it became necessary for him to leave that place 
in order to get to the work of translating them as the Lord 
had commanded him to do. Joseph had no money with 
which to travel ; and the Lord raised up a friend in the person 
of Martin Harris who gave Joseph fifty dollars, which per- 
mitted him and his wife Emma to go to her father's home 
in Pennsylvania. Even while traveling an attempt was made 
to rob him of the plates, for his wagon was stopped and 
wicked men searched it ; but as Joseph had hidden the plates 
in a barrel of beans, they were not found. 

At Mr. Hale's Joseph began to copy the characters 
which were upon the plates and to translate them into the 
English language. 

The kind of writing looks very strange to us, nor could 
Joseph have translated it into the English language with- 
out the help of the Lord. Now it was evident why Moroni 
so many hundreds of years ago put the Urim and Thummim 
into the stone box with the plates, for it was by the use of 
these that Joseph was able to make the translation. When 
Joseph looked through the clear stones in the bows of the 



26 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Urim and Thummim, he could understand the meaning in 
our language, and thus were the plates translated and make 
what we now 1 know as the Book of Mormon. (Show a copy 
of the book to the children.) 

One day Martin Harris visited the prophet Joseph and 
asked him to let him take a copy of some of the characters 
which Joseph had copied to New York to show a learned 
mlan who lived there who claimed to know how iu read very 
old writings. Joseph gave him a copy, and Mr. Harris took 
them to Professor Charles Anthon. Prof. Anthon examined 
them and the translation as made by Joseph, .said the latter 
was correct, and gave Mr. Harris a letter to that effect. As 
Mr. Harris was leaving, Professor Anthon asked how the 
young man had found the plates. Mr. Harris told him an 
angel of God had revealed them! to him. Ulpon hearing this 
Prof. Anthon asked, for the letter and, having received it, 
tore it up declaring that there were no such things as the 
ministering of angels now. Prof. Anthon told him that if he 
would bring the plates to him, he would translate them. 
Upon being told that a part of them were sealed -and Joseph 
was forbidden to show them, he declared', "I can not read a 
sealed book." In this incident a remarkable prophecy, made 
by the prophet Isaiah, who lived long before the Savior 
came upon the earth, was fulfilled. In the Book of Isaiah 
(29:11) it reads: 

"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words 
of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to on.. j who is 
learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee : and he saitfr. 1 cannot 
for it is sealed." 

The book was given to Joseph who was not learned, 
and he by the gift and power of God, translated it into the 
Engiish language, and' we have it today. By carefully and 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 27 



prayerfully reading it we can learn the true gospel of Jesus 
Christ. 

Application: In what ways can we show that we 
are willing to serve our Heavenly Father ? He does not ask 
us to do anything that is impossible. 

Repeat "A Child's Prayer" given above. 



LESSON V. A BROKEN PROMISE 

Reference: "The Latter day Prophet," chapter VII, 
page 26; Smith's "Essentials in Church History" pp. 64-67. 

Aim: Blessings follow the keeping of righteous prom- 
ises. 

Memory Gem: God loves the keeper of a righteous 
promise. 

Outline : 

I. Method of Translating. 

1. Joseph behind screen. — Reason. 

II. Martin Harris's Request. 

1. Joseph enquires of the Lord. 

3. Finally granted under conditions. 

4. The solemn promise broken. 

III. The Result of the Broken Promise. 

1. Joseph's sorrow and temporary loss. 

2. Martin's punishment. 

Point of Contact: What is a promise? Tell us ot 
some promise you have made. Today we will tell you oi * 
promise made to the Lord and' what came of it. 

Story: Martin Harris, confirmed by his visit to 
Professors Anthon and Mitchell that the plates held by 
Joseph had been written by men long, long ago, desired to 
assist Joseph in the translation of them, and agreed to be ins 

25 



28 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



"scribe" — that is to write in English the contents of the 
plates. How could this he done and permit Joseph to obey 
the angel's instructions to let no one see them except such as 
the Lord should indicate ? The room in which the work was 
to be done was divided by a screen behind which Joseph, 
now a tall, manly fellow, his handdsome face bronzed by the 
sun, his hands hardened by the toil of the fields, carefully 
uncovered the plates unseen by any man, while Martin 
Harris sat on the other side prepared to write as Joseph gave 
him the words. 

While the work was slow, yet how interesting it must 
have been for these two young men to read (the history of 
the ancient inhabitants of this continent, knowing as they 
must that they alone of all the people then living knew these 
facts ! Then also they knew they were engaged m the serv- 
ice of the Lord, for He had commanded Joseph to translate 
these records. They knew also thait thousands and tens of 
thousands of people would some day rejoice when they read 
of the wonderful things the Lord had done among these 
ancient peoples and the splendid truths which the book 
would make plain. 

At the end of two months Martin Harris had written 
one-hundred and sixteen pag'es as Joseph had read to him 
from the golden pages of the plates, using those strange 
glasses — the Urim and Thummim. 

' Martin's wife was curious to see what had been written 
and had several times asked him to show them to her. Mar- 
tin finally asked Joseph to let him take these pages to show 
her and other friends. Joseph said, "No." But Martin 
asked' him to ask the Lord about the matter. Joseph did 
so and received an answer through these same glasses, de- 
nying the request. This did not satisfy Martin so he begged 
Joseph to ask again. Again the same answer was given. 




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30 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Still not satisfied, Martin asked Joseph once more, and Jo- 
seph again asked the Lord. Finally the Lord answered that 
he might, provided that he would guard them very carefully 
and show them to but five persons who were named. This 
Martin promised to do, so Joseph let him take the written 
pages. The Lord had warned Joseph that he too wouiu 
be held responsible for them. 

Like many other persons who are given something 
which they are not to show, but immediately want to show 
how important they are by letting people know they have 
something secret, Martin told others of them, and be- 
came so weak and foolish as to forget his promise to Joseph 
and to the Lord. He showed them not only to his wife, his 
father, his mjother, his brother, and his wife's sister — the 
five whom he had jthe right to show them to — but to others, 
and no doubt to some wicked persons ; for they were stolen 
from him and have never been recovered. 

This broken promise and the loss of the pages caused 
Joseph deep sorrow, for he knew the Lord was not pleased 
with him for repeating Martin's request. Indeed the Lord 
was displeased ; and, as a punishment, the Urim and Thum- 
mim was taken from him for a time, and he could no ' 
longer translate. Joseph earnestly prayed to the Lord to 
forgive him, and finally the Urim and Thummjm was given 
back to him. 

Martin was more severely punished, for he lost his posi- 
tion as scribe and was never allowed to write again for the 
prophet, which made him realize that it is a very serious 
thing to break a promise, and especially to the Lord. 

Application: When we partake of the Sacrament, we 
promise our Heavenly Father that we will try to keep His' 
commandments. What are some of the commandments 
boys and girls can keep? 

What other promises have you made? 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



31 



LESSON 6. THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD 
RESTORED 

References: "Latter-day Prophet," chapter VIII; 
Smith's Essentials, pp. 66-69. 

Aim: Baptism must be performed by the proper 
authority and in the proper manner. 

Memory Gem: Review, "Veriy, verily, I say unto 
thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he 
cannot enter into the kingdom of God." 

Outline : 

I. The Passage on Baptism. 

1. Oliver Cowdery becomes scribe. 

2. The striking passage. 

3. The prayer. 

II. Appearance of John the Baptist. 

1. The Ordination. 

2. Joseph and Oliver directed to baptize each other. 

III. The Ordinance. 

1. The river. 

2. Performing the ordinance. 

3. The authority necessary. 

Point of Contact: The child's own baptism. Who 
performed it? Authority. • 

Lesson Statement: Although the Urim and Thum- 
mim had been restored to the Prophet, he was still hamp- 
ered in his work because he had no one to write for him. 
He prayed to the Lord to send him a scribe, and his prayer 
was answered in the following way: 

There was a young teacher in Manchester, New York, 
named Oliver Cowdery, who had heard that Joseph claimed 
to have been visited by heavenly beings who had told him 
many wonderful things, and he prayed to the Lord to know 
if this report was true. He received a testimony that Jo- 



32 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



seph had been called by God to perform a great work and 
that he, Oliver Cowdery, had been chosen to assist him. Ac- 
cordingly he went to visit Joseph at the home of Mr. Hale 
in Pennsylvania and offered his services. Joseph accepted 
his offer and two days later began again to translate the 
sacred records with Oliver acting as scribe. 

One day they came to a passage in the Book of Mor- 
mon which told of baptism for the remission of sins. They 
were puzzled because they had not been baptized, and they 
did not know which Church had the authority to perform 
baptism!. They knew that the various churches differed in 
their methods of performing this ordinance and also as to 
the reasons for performing it. As Joseph always did when 
in doubt he inquired of the Lord. He and Oliver went 
to the woods and prayed to the Lord to give them knowl- 
edge on this matter of baptism. 

In answer to their prayer a heavenly messenger ap- 
peared to them. He told them that he was John the Baptist, 
the same who had lived upon the earth in the time of 
Christ and who had baptized Christ, and that he had been 
sent now by Peter, James, and John to confer the Aaronic 
Priesthood upon Joseph and Oliver so that they would have 
the power to baptize. 

He placed his hands upon their heads and said, "Upon 
you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer 
the Priesthood! of Aaron, which holds the keys of the 
ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and 
of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this 
shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of 
Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteous- 
ness." 

He promised them that if they were faithful, a greater 
authority called the Melchizedek Priesthood would be given 
to them later. He then told Joseph to baptize Oliver, after 



John the, Baptist Conferring the Aaronic Priesthood 
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery 



34 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



which Oliver was to baptize Joseph. Then Joseph was to 
ordain Oliver and then Oliver to ordain Joseph. After giv- 
ing them these instructions, John the Baptist was taken up 
in a pillar of light. 

Joseph and Oliver went down to* the river and baptized 
and ordained each other as instructed. The power of God 
rested upon them filling them with great joy. Under this 
spirit the Prophet prophesied that the Lord would again 
establish His Church upon the earth in these latter days. 

Applica,tiojn : Why was this a wonderful event? 
Why should it make us very happy? What did it give to 
the people upon this earth that they had not had since the 
days of Christ and His apostles? How many in this class 
have taken advantage of this blessing and have been bap- 
tized? Who baptized you? What authority must he have 
held ? Which church can give him this Aaronic P'riesthood ? 



LESSON 7. THE THREE WITNESSES 

References: "The Latter-day Prophet," part of chap- 
ter IV; Smith's "Essentials in Church History," pp. 69-80. 

Aim: That the Book of Mormon is true and is 
established by the testimony of several witnesses. 

Memory Gem: "* * * * And we declare with 
words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from 
heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we 
beheld and saw the plates and the engravings thereon. And 
it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless the voice of the 
Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it." 
Outline: 

I. Friendly Aid Given Joseph and Oliver. 

1. By Joseph Knight. 

2. By Peter Whitmer. 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



35 



II. Removal to Fayette. 

1. How the plates were cared for. 

2. Returned to Joseph. 

III. The Three Witnesses Chosen of the Lord. 

1. The reference in the Book of Mormon. 

2. The request of Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and 
David Whitmer. 

3. Granted by the Lord. 

IV. The Vision. 

1. The prayer. 

2. Martin Harris retires. 

3. The others see the plates. 

4. Martin forgiven and blessed. 

5. Meaning of their testimony. 

6. Testimony never denied by the witnesses. 

V. Plates shown by the Prophet to eight others. 

Point of Contact : Have you ever had someone tell 
you something so wonderful that you doubted if he were 
telling you the truth? What could you do to learn if it 
were really true, or not? If someone whom you knew to 
be truthful told you that he had seen the thing himself, how 
would it make you feel? 

When an auto accident occurrs what do the officers do 
to find out who is to blame ? The people who saw the acci- 
dent are called witnesses, and their testimony is taken to 
prove the truth about the affair. 

Lesson Statement: The Lord knew thalt; many, 
many people would not believe a story so wonderful as the 
one Joesph Smith told about the Angel Moroni giving him 
the golden plates. They might think that he had dreamed 
it or had just imagined it, so he proved the truth of it by 
having the angel show the plates to other men. 

One day the Lord made known to Joseph that three 
witnesses were to see the plates. Oliver Cowdery, Martin 



36 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Harris, and David Whitmer asked that they might be the 
witnesses, and their request was granted. 

Who was Oliver Cowdery? 

What have you heard about Martin Harris ? 

The third witness, David Whitmer, was a farmer in 
New York who had heard of Joseph Smith and the plates 
through his friend Oliver Cowdery. He became so interested 
that he made a visit to Pennsylvania to see the Prophet 
and learn of his work. He believed and invited Joseph and 
Oliver to go and live at his father's home in Fayette, Seneca 
Co., N. Y., until they had completed the translation. Here, 
he said, they could live without any expense and be un- 
molested in their work. Joseph gladly accepted the offer 
as he had feared that he would have to discontinue the work 
of translating while he earned some money to support him- 
self and family. He thanked the Lord for sending aid at this 
time. 

These three men with Joseph went out into the woods 
one day and prayed to the Lord to show them the plates ; 
but they received no answer to their prayers. They prayed 
again, and still no answer. Then Martin Harris said that 
he was the cause of the trouble. He felt that the Lord was 
d'spleased with him for having broken his promise. So 
he withdrew, and the remaining three brethren prayed 
again. As they were doing so, a bright light shone down 
upon them, and the Angel Moroni appeared before them. 
He showed them the Urim and Thummim and the golden 
plates. He turned over the leaves of the unsealed part 
showing the strange characters engraved upon them. They 
heard the voice of the Lord telling them that the record 
was true, that it had been translated correctly, and that 
they were to bear testimony to the world of what they saw 
and heard. 

Then Joseph went to Martin Harris, and they prayed 



The Angel Showing the Plates of the Book of Mormon 
to the Witnesses. 



38 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



together. This time their prayers were answered, and the 
same wonderful manifestation was shown to Martin Harris 
as had been shown to the other men. He fell upon his face, 
crying, "It is enough ! Mine eyes have beheld : Mine eyes 
have beheld !" 

These three witnesses wrote a statement of what they 
saw and heard and signed their names to it. You can find 
it on one of the first pages of any copy of the Book of 
Mormon. (Give the memory gem.) 

Although these three men all left the Church later, 
David Whitmer never returning to it, they all declared the 
truth of this statement till the last. 

(Note: The following statement from "A Young 
Folks' History of the Church," by Nephi Anderson is given 
for the benefit of the teacher to be used in her lesson as she 
thinks suitable.) 

"In April, 1838, Oliver Cowdery was cut off from the 
Church for a number of things that a Latter-day Saint 
should not do. He became a lawyer and went to Michigan. 
For ten years he remained away from the Church ; but dur- 
ing all that time he never once denied his testimony that 
the Book of Mormon is true. Often men tried to have 
him deny it, but he stood firm to that truth. 

At a meeting held in Kanesville, Iowa, October 21, 
1848, Oliver Cowdery spoke and bore a strong testimony of 
the Book of Mormon and the work of God. Shortly after 
he asked to be baptized into the Church again. He did not 
ask for position or honor, he simply wanted to be a mem- 
ber of the Church. His wish was granted, and he was bap - 
tizeJ. 

While on his way to Utah, Oliver stopped at Richmond, 
Mo., to visit his friends, the Whitmers. While here, he 
died. David Whitmer said of the event: 

"Oliver died the happiest man I ever saw. After shak- 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 39 



ing hands with the family and kissing his wife and daughter, 
he said, 'Now I lay me down for the last time, I am going 
to my Savior;'. and he died immediately with a smile on bis 
face." 

Martin Harris left the Church at Kirtland, in 1837; 
and, although he did not join it again until he came to Utah 
in 1870, he testified to the truth of the Book of Mormon 
all during those thirty-three years. 

"He died July 10, 1875, at Clarkston, Cache County, 
Utah. On the afternoon of his death he sat propped up in 
his bed with a Book of Mormon in his hand bearing his 
testimony to its truth to those around him." 

David Whitmer, after being with the Saints until 1838, 
apostatized in Missouri. He moved to Richmond, Clay 
County, and lived there to the day of his death, January 25, 
1888. He never rejoined the Church; but he always bore 
a strong testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. On his 
death-bed he said to those around him : 

"I want to say to you all that the Bible and the record 
of the Nephites (Book of Mormon) are true, so you can 
say that you heard me bear my testimony on my death-bed. 
God bless you all. My .trust is in (Christ forever, worlds 
without end. Amen ?" 

On the same page of the Book of Mormon as you find 
the testimony of these three witnesses is a similar statement 
signed by eight other witnesses which was written later. 

Application: What proof have we that the Book of 
Mormon is 'true? When you are grown, how many of you 
would like to go on missions to tell people about the truth 
of the Book of Mormon? What can you be doing now to 
be getting ready for a mission? 



40 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



LESSON 8. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE 
CHURCH 

References: "Latter-day Prophet," part of chapters 
IX and X; "Smith's Essentials in Church History," pp. 
81-94. (Teachers should read carefully Sec. 20, Doctrine 
and Covenants.) 

Aim. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
Saints is the true Church of Christ, organized under His 
direction and by authority given by Him. 

Memory Gem: "The only true and living Church 
upon the face of the whole earth." (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 1.) 

Outline : 

I. Book of Mormon Published. 

1. Translation completed. 

2. Plates returned. 

3. Book published. 

II 0 The Melchizedek Priesthood Restored. 

1. Upon whom conferred. 

2. By whom. 

3. Authority. 

III. Church Organized. 

1. Manner of organization, day, and name revealed. 

2. Called after Jesus because it is His Church. 

3. The proceeding at the organization. 

4. Spiritual manifestation likened to the day of Pente- 
cost. 

Point of Contact : What is the name of our Church ? 

Yes, it is the continuation of the same true Church that 
was on the earth at the time of Christ. When Jesus went 
to His Father in Heaven, He left His apostles Peter, James, 
and John at the head of His Church. Later the apostles 
died, and the people became so wicked that the true Church 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 41 



was taken from the earth. How do we know that it was 
not on the earth at the time Joseph Smith was a boy ? When 
Joseph went into the woods to pray, what did he ask con- 
cerning the churches? What answer did the Lord give 
him? Let us see how He restored His Church to us again. 

Lesson Statement: After the unsealed section of 
the plates had been translated, they were returned to the 
Angel Moroni who now has charge of them. We expect 
the sealed part to be opened and translated at some later 
time. 

Through the aid of Martin Harris, arrangements were 
made for publishing 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon. 
Then Joseph went back to his home in Pennsylvania. 

By this time Joseph and Oliver had baptized several 
people who' believed in the mission of the Prophet. By 
what authority did they baptize? Where did they get this 
Aaronic Priesthood ? What promise was made to them con- 
cerning another priesthood? (See lesson 6.) 

The time had now come for this promise to be fuli filed. 
Soon after the translation was completed, they were visited 
again by heavenly beings. This time Peter, James, and John 
appeared to them. They were three men Christ chose as 
His apostles to work with' Him when He was upon the 
earth. They had come now to confer upon Joseph and 
Oliver the Melchizedek Priesthood which would give them 
the power tq lay on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, to 
perform other ordinances of the gospel, and also to or- 
ganize the true Church of God upon the earth again. Why 
could these men confer this power? 

They then placed their hands upon Joseph's head, or- 
dained him the first Elder in the Church, and then, in the 
same manner, ordained Oliver the second Elder in the 
Church. 

Later the Lord revealed to the Prophet that he should 



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CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 43 



organize the Church of Christ again upon the earth on the 
sixth day of April, 1830. Accordingly six men who had 
previously been baptized met at the home of Peter Whitmer, 
Sr., in Fayette, Seneca County, New York on that date. 
They were Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, 
Peter Whitmer, Jr., Samuel H. Smith, and David Whitmer. 
What was done at the meeting is told by Joseph Smith as 
follows : 

"Having opened the meeting by solemn prayer to bur 
Heavenly Father, we proceeded to call on our brethren to 
know whether they accepted us as their teachers in the 
things of the kingdom of God and whether they were sat- 
isfied that we should proceed and be organized as a Church 
according to the commandments we had received. To this 
they all consented. I then laid my hands upon Oliver 
Cowdery and ordained him an elder of the Church of Jesus 
Christ ; after which he ordained me also to the office of an 
elder of said Church. We then took bread, blessed it, and 
broke it with them; also wine, blessed it, and drank it with 
them. We then laid our hands on each member of the 
Church present, that they might receive the gift of the Holy 
Ghost, and be confirmed members of the Church of Christ. 
The Holy Ghost was poured out upon us to a very great 
degree — some prophesied, whilst we all praised the Lord 
and rejoiced exceedingly." 

Thus was the true Church of Christ again on the earth. 
During the hundreds of years when the world had lain in 
darkness there was no one who had the authority to ordain 
a member of the Church. 

Application: What is the name of our Church? Why 
is it so called? By whom was it organized? Who gave 
him the authority? 



26 



44 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



LESSON 9. HIDDEN GOSPEL RECORDS 

References: "The Latter-day Prophet," chap. 12; 
"Essentials in Church History/' (Smith), pages 112, 114- 
118. 

Aim: The Lord watches over His people, no mat- 
ter in what part of the earth, and fulfils His promises to 
them. 

Memory Gem: "Wherefore they shall come to the 
knowledge of their Redeemer, * * * that they may 
know how to come unto him and be saved (I Nephi 15 : 
14). 

Song: "Jesus Loves the Little Children." 
Outline : 

I. The Book of Mormon. 

1. The record it contains. 

2. The Nephites and Lamanites. 

3. What became of these two ancient races of God's 
people. 

II. The Mission to the Lamanites. 

1. A promise made to them in the Book of Mor- 
mon. 

2. Fulfilled by the Lord calling four elders to go 
on a mission to the Lamanites. 

III. Other Labors with the Lamanites. 

Point of Contact: The number of interesting and 
instructive books in the world. Some story books the 
children have read. Some they would like to read when 
they grow older. 

What a very wonderful story the Book of Mormon 
must contain for the Lord to have had it written on gold, 
preserved in the earth for thousands of years, and then 
have an angel bring it out and give it to a man in the 
way it was given to Joseph Smith ! 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 45 



It is a wonderful story, the record of two races of 
God's people who lived in this country thousands of 
years ago, but whom He had not forgotten. Some of 
their descendants are living now. You have seen them. 
(Teacher talk with children, about the Indians, also 
about the evidences found proving that a more highly 
civilized race of people than the Indians lived on this 
continent before Columbus discovered it.) 

Lesson Statement: "The Book of Mormon is the 
story of the first people who came to America, the an- 
cestors of the Indians. 

"Six hundred years before Christ was born, there 
lived in Jerusalem a prophet by the name of Lehi. He 
had at that time four sons, Laman ) Lemuel, Sam, and 
Nephi. The Lord told Lehi because of the wickedness of 
the city, it would soon be destroyed; and, if he wished to 
be saved, he must take his family, and travel into the 
wilderness. This Lehi did. They went south-eastward 
until they got to the sea, where they built ships in which 
to cross to a promised land. While camping in the 
wilderness Lehi sent his sons back to Jerusalem to get 
some records of his forefathers ; and it was through the 
faithfulness of Nephi that this was done. 

"After many days of sailing they at last landed on 
the west coast "of South America in what is now called 
Chile. 

"The two older boys Laman and Lemuel were often 
disobedient to their father and many times brought 
trouble to the little company. They also treated their 
younger brother, Nephi, badly, because he would not 
agree with them but tried to do as his father told him. 

"When Lehi died, Nephi was chosen their leader; 
but soon Laman and Lemuel became dissatisfied and 
again began making trouble. The Lord then told Nephi 



the 



BOOK OF MORMON: 



AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OP MpR. 
MON, UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM 
TOE PLATES OF NEPHL 



fore it is an abridgment of the Record of the People of .Nephi ; and sko < 
(. n it , written to the Eaoiunin-a, which area remnant of tlw House » 
tt-i »b4 aW td Jew an 4 Gentile , written bv way of cotutnatidgoeot, and «J« 
(In <,i«tt of Prophesy and of Revelation, Written, and sealed up and hi. 

i ,' tho l,»nt», mat they might not be destroyed , to cosie forth by the gi( 
i ,,. v, i f ,,i <;,o. unto the interpretation thereof, sealed by the band of M »r, 
;l t:4 hid op uiifo the Lord, focoate forth in dae time by the way of Gentile 
interpretation thereof by the gift of Go©; an abridgment taken from th- 
;k of Ether. , , • • . % *K t 



Xhn, which is a R0&ti of the People of Jared, which were wintered at th-> ti-or- 
t i',. Loru confounded the language of the people when th«y were bailout o 
tower to get to Heaven: which is to shew unto the remnant of the Hottge of 
i , J h • great tlongs rite Lord bath done for then fathers , and that they way 
i, , w th<* c tenants ftf the l„<>«r>. that tt.er are not cast off forever , and «W to 
thf convincing; of the Jew end Gentile that Smm is the Christ, tlie Ft (.'••- 
Goo otantfe ting Himself onto all nations. And now. tf there be fault, h he tho 
mistake of nun"; wherefore condemn not the things ef Qa», that ye may be 
found spafiesi at the judgment *eat <»f Citrusi. 1 ■ 



BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUMOB, 

AUTHOR AN1> PROPRIETOR; 



PALMYRA: 

pjllMKD BF E, B. GUAM>I.\. FOR THE AUTHOR; 

1830. 



- ^IHBH. 

Title Page of the First Edition of the Book of Mormon. 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



47 



to take all who would listen to him and leave the other 
brothers and those who upheld them in their evil deeds. 

'Tn this way there became two peoples in the land. 
Those who went with Nephi came to be called Nephites, 
and those who remained with Laman became Lamanites. 
The Nephites built houses, planted fields, and lived as 
civilized people; and the Lord often revealed His will to 
them through prophets. The Lamanites became lazy, 
lived in tents in the forests, and killed wild animals for 
their food. Their skins became dark. 

Both nations became very large and occupied the 
greater part of North and South America. 

"In time the Lamanites occupied all of South America 
except a small part in the north, on which the Nephites lived. 
The Nephites' land also extended far up into North Amer- 
ica. 

"At times the Lord would raise up prophets who would 
preach to the wicked. Usually these teachers were Nephites, 
but sometimes they were Lamanites. Sometimes great 
numbers of the Lamanites were converted to the Lord, and 
when they once accepted the truth, 'they did not fall away 
so easily as their Nephite brethren. 

"A little over six-hundred years after Lehi landed on 
this continent, Jesus appeared unto some of the righteous. 
Before this, however, there had been a great storm all over 
the land, and many of the wicked had been destroyed. Jesus 
had been crucified at Jerusalem, had risen from the dead, 
and now he came to the Nephites with His resurrected 
body. He taught them the same gospel that he had taught 
in Palestine and chose twelve disciples to preach and build 
up His Church. 

''For nearly two hundred years the people all belonged 
to the Church of Christ, and' peace was over the land. Then 



48 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



they became wicked again. The Lamanites kept driving the 
Xephites farther north until they reached what is now the 
United States. Around a hill in the western part of the 
State of New York, then called Cumorah, what was left 
of the Nephites gathered for the last struggle. The Laman- 
ites met them, and there was a great battle in which all but 
a few of the Nephites were killed. Thus ended the Nphne 
nation, four hundred years after Christ and the Lamanites, 
or Indians, have lived here ever since. 

"During all this time the Lord had some good men keep 
a record of what happened among the people. In those days 
they did not write on paper, so these histories were recorded 
on plates of metal. These plates were handed from one man 
to another, until about the time of the last great battle, a 
prophet by the name of Mormon had all the records. * * 
* * Mormon give all his writing to his son Moroni, who 
wrote a little more on the plates. * * * * After he had 
seen his people destroyed, he hid all the records in the hill 
Cumorah." — From A Young Falk's History of the Church, 
by Nephi Anderson. 

While translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph and 
OHver read many glorious promises recorded there for the 
Lamanites, or Indians. It promised that a record of their 
forefathers should be taken to them, that the gospel should 
be preached to them, and that in the course of time many of 
their race should become white. 

Joseph inquired of the Lord as to what he should ao 
about these things, and was told that missionaries were to 
he sent to the Indians. Accordingly in the fall of the year 
in which the Church was organized four elders were called 
to go and preach to the Indians. 

Two of the men who went on this mission were Oliver 
Cowdery and Parley P. Pratt. They traveled hundreds of 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



49 



miles over the snow, for it was winer. When tney came to 
the Indians who lived on the Missouri River, they got them 
together in a meeting. They showed them the Book of 
Mormon and told them how Christ had come to then land 
many years ago and had taught their forefathers the gospel. 
The Indians were glad to hear this story, but wicked men 
got the Indian agent who was over these people to tell 
Brother Cowdery and Brother Pratt they had to go away. 
This ended the first Indian mission. 

Since that time thousands of the Lamanites have 
heard the Gospel and hundreds of them have become mem- 
bers of the Church. Thus the Lord remembered His people 
and kept his promises to them after these many,many years. 

Application: Treat Indians kindly, for they are 
God's children, for whom He has great blessings when they 
receive the Gospel. Talk with your parents about the Book 
of Mormon. 



LESSON 10. THE CHURCH ON THE MOVE 

References: "The Latter-day Prophet," chapter 13; 
"Esentials in Church History," pages 119-134. 

Aim: The Lord guides those who seek earnestly for 
the truth. 

Memory Gem: "Pray unto the Lord, call upon His 
holy name." 

Suggestive Song: Did you think to pray?" 

Outline : 

I. Introduction. 

1. Revelation. What it is. 

2. Illustrative revelations as the Word of Wisdom, etc. 



50 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



II. The Prophet and Saints Move to Kirtland. 

1. The journey to Kirtland. 

2. A wonderful answer to prayer. 

III. The City of Zion. 

1. The revelation. 

2. The Prophet's journey to Zion. 

3. The dedication of the temple site. 

Point of Contact: If your parents gave you some 
new kind of work to do for them, they would tell you 
what they wanted done and how to do it. If then you 
were obedient and worked, you would be successful. If 
your father sent you on an errand to a strange place, what 
would he do before you left? 

The Lord had given the Prophet Joseph some very im- 
portant and difficult work to do. What was it ? (To re- 
establish His Church on the earth.) How do you suppose 
He helped him to do it ? 

Lesson Statement: O/ur Heavenly Father was al- 
ways very ready to help the young Prophet when he had 
any hard thing to do. The Prophet Joseph, too, knew 
how much he needed the help of the Lord in carrying on 
the work of founding the Church. Less than a year after 
the Church was organized some good men from Kirtland, 
Ohio, who had heard the missionaries preach came to see 
the Prophet Joseph in his home in New York. While 
they were there, the Lord gave him a revelation (Doc. and 
Cov. Sec. 37) in which He told the Saints that He desired 
them to move to the place these good men, Brother Rigdon 
and Brother Partridge, came from. The Prophet knew that 
he would be blessed if he did what our Heavenly Father 
told him to do, so he started at once to get ready to move 
from New York way over to Kirtland, where he was told 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



51 



to go. It was winter and very cold, so they went in a 
sleigh. 

About the first of February, 1831, they arrived at 
Kirtland. The Prophet drove up to the store of a good man 
named Newel K. Whitney. He walked up to Brother Whit- 
ney, holding out his hand and saying, "Newel K. Whitney ! 
Thou art the man !" 

" 'You have the advantage of me,' replied the one ad- 
dressed, T could not call you by name as you have me.' 

" T am Joseph Smith, the Prophet,' said the stranger 
smiling, 'You've prayed me here ; now what do you want of 
mte?' " 

Brother Whitney at once took the Prophet over to his 
home where he lived with the family of Brother Whitney 
several weeks. 

Thus was the prayer of these good people answered. 
They had prayed to the Lord to send them the true gospel 
and He had replied by sending them the Prophet Joseph to 
live with them and to teach them the true gospel. How 
happy they all were for they knew the Lord was rewarding 
their faith! 

Soon the snow melted, the warm spring days returned, 
and then nearly all of the Saints in New York went , to 
Kirtland. They built a beautiful city there. This was the 
first gathering place of our people. 

But the Prophet Joseph knew that Kirtland was not to 
be the great gathering place of the Church. The Lord had 
told him in a revelation (Doc. and Cov. 28:9) that the 
great city which was, later called Zion should be built on the 
borders of the Lamanites. This border of the Lamanites 
was then west of Missouri. As soon as the Prophet Joseph 
had got everything going well at Kirtland, the Lord told 
him to go to Missouri, where he would show him where 
the city of Zion should be built. After a long, long journey 



52 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



he and his companions reached a place called Independence. 
This the Lord revealed to the Prophet was the place of the 
city of Zion. 

How glad they were to be in this beautiful prairie re- 
gion ! They immediately started building houses. They 
were made of logs. The first house that was built was 
near Kansas City. A large log was taken by twelve men 
and laid in the right place. Soon there were many log 
houses in the land. 

At the nJeetJing when the first log was laid, Sidney 
Rigdon dedicated the land of Zion to the Lord. The people 
were kind to one another. They had no poor among them for 
they had all things in common. Soon, too, our Heavenly 
Father showed them the place where they were to build a 
beautiful temple. There they started at once to build the 
city of Zion. But they never built the temple. Wicked men 
mobbed them and killed them, and finally they had to leave. 
This will all be told in the next lesson. 

But some day Zion will yet be built. When it is built 
only good, pure people can live there. Zion means the pure 
in heart. Should you not like to be good enough to help 
build this wonderful city? 

Application: Very few people have received revela- 
tions to guide them but many have had their prayers an- 
swered. If we want to know what is the right thing to do, 
what might we do to learn ? How must we live if we want 
our prayers answered? 



LESSON 11. THE WICKED RAGE 



References: "The Latter-day Prophet," pages 76- 
92; 96-111; Doctrine and Covenants Sec. 101 :16-17, and 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



53 



76-80; "Essentials in Church History," pages 152, 156-167; 
170-178. 

Aim: The Lord in His goodness can easily over- 
throw the plans of the wicked. 

Memory Gem: "We see there is an Almighty Power 
that protects His people." 

Song: "Dearest children, God is near you." D. S. 
S. Song No. 99.) 

Outline : 

I. Persecutions. 

1. In Missouri. 

2. Saints driven from Jackson County. 

3. Other sore trials. 

II. Zion's Camp. 

1. Organized by direction of the Lord. 

2. A call for Volunteers. 

III. Incidents on the Journey. 

1. Prayers. 

2. The shallow well. 

3. James Campbell. 

4. Fishing River. 

5. "God's protecting power manifest. 

Point of Contact: Do you remember how the Lord 
protected the Israelites when Moses led them out of Egypt? 
What army followed them? How did the Lord save the 
Israelites from the army of Pharaoh? The Lord whom we 
worship is the same Lord, and He is just as good and power- 
ful today as he was those thousands of years ago. Today 
we shall tell you how the Lord saved a large number of the 
Saints from their enemies who wanted to destroy them. 

Lesson Statement: Three years after the organiza- 
tion of the Church the Saints in Missouri met to celebrate the 



54 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



anniversary. They were very happy and had a joyful time. 
They did not think the evil power was moving upon the 
hearts of wicked men to hurt them, to try to drive them 
from their homes, and to break up the Church they had 
formed by God's direction. Mobs of these wicked men gath- 
ered on several occasions and offered violence finally order- 
ing the Saints to leave Jackson County. The mob did many 
wicked things such as driving women and children from 
their homes into the cold, beating many of the men, and de- 
stroying their houses. Finally a battle was fought, and some 
men were killed, among them one of \the Saints. The Saints 
were deceived by the promises of State officials that they 
would protect them from further injury if they would give 
up their guns and pistols; and ,so, when in obedience to 
authority, they did give them up, the wicked mob again 
attacked the Saints and drove them out of Jackson County. 
The Prophet Joseph, who was then in Ohio, grieved and 
wished he had been with them in their troubles. 

In answer to the prayers of Joseph for help for the 
Saints the Lord told him to organize a company of men to 
go to Missouri to assist them with food and clothing and 
aid in restoring them to their homes. About one hundred 
and fifty men responded to this call ; and, taking twenty 
wagons filled with food and clothing for their poor brethren 
and sisters in Missouri, they started out on the long, long 
journey, most of the men having to walk. They were joined 
later by another party under the leadership of the Prophet's 
brotfier, Hyrum, making their numbers over two hundred 
men and twenty-five wagons. It was a hard journey for 
creeks and rivers had to be waded, swamps struggled 
through, and hills and sandy plains crossed over. The or- 
ganization was given the name of "Zion's Camp." The 
Lord had a great purpose in view in its organization, greater 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 55 



than carrying help to the Saints ; for He wanted to test 
the men to see whether they would prove true to the Prophet 
and the Lord in trouble, suffering, and great danger; for 
from that group of men He had in mind to later call many to 
positions of great responsibility in the Church, even to be 
special witnesses to the nations of the earth and to lead in 
great Church movements. It was from this group of men 
the Lord chose the first of the Twelve and of the Seventy. 
Among them were Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, 
Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, George A. Smith, Wilford 
Woodruff, and many more. 

Each night at the sound of a trumpet the men went to 
their tents and knelt down in prayer. Each morning when 
the trumpet sounded, they knelt down upon the ground and 
asked the Lord to take care of them during the day. 

Each Sabbath day, they partook of the Sacrament and 
worshiped the Lord. 

They suffered many hardships, and their faith in Jo- 
seph land in the Lord was sorely tried; yet God showed 
them many mercies and caused them to see many of Jo- 
seph's prophecies fulfilled. 

"Once at the end of a hot June day, they pitched their 
tents on a broad treeless prairie, over which they had trav- 
eled all day long. They were very thirsty, for the plain had 
no water upon it; and the supply they carried had been 
gone since morning. When Joseph saw the suffering about 
him, he( called for a spade and, picking out a place which all 
could easily reach, he dug a shallow well. Water at once 
flowed into it, and the two hundred men and fifty or more 
horses and mules drank from it." Thus did the Lord show 
forth His power and mercy much as He did when Moses 
smote the rock in the wilderness and water came forth for 
the thirsty Israelites. 



56 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Thus the Lord comforted and blest the Saints in Camp 
for their faith and trust in Him. But some did not always 
do right, giving way to fault finding and disobedience, so 
He permitted some things to come upon them in punish- 
ment. Some died. 

As the camp drew near its destination in Missouri, word 
went out to those wicked men who had persecuted the Saints ; 
and they determined to raise an army and destroy the camp. 
One James Campbell was especially mean and started out 
with others to get the men together, declaring, ''The eagles 
and turkey buzzards shall eat my flesh if I do not fix Jo- 
seph Smith and his army so that their skins will not hold 
shucks, before two days are passed/' Let us see which pari 
of his declaration came true. 

Zion's Camp moved on under trying conditions and 
finally came to a place called Fishing River, a small stream 
flowing into the big Missouri River. At this point it di- 
vided into seven branches. Between two of these the camp 
halted on a high piece of ground. 

Mobs were gathering at different points to attack and 
destroy the men of Zion's Camp, just as Campbell and his 
party desired to, but God's hand was over His servants, and 
His power was sOon manifest. "He spoke to the winds and 
they went rushing over the whole heaven, bearing black 
"clouds. He commanded the lightning and the rain and hail, 
and they obeyed." A hurricane raged ; a great hailstorm 
beat down fields of corn, cut off branches of trees, twisting 
tree-trunks to splinters. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed, 
and the earth shook. Those wicked men lost all their bold- 
ness and were dispersed and driven back to their homes with 
terror in their hearts. The boat in which Campbell tried to 
reach the Camp was overturned. This mobber was drowned, 
and three weeks later his body was found from which birds 
of prey had torn off his flesh. 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



57 



No hail fell in Zion's Camp, and little rain. The storm 
did not frighten them because they believed God had sent 
it for their protection. 

And thus we see there is an Almighty Power that pro- 
tects His people. 

Application: Need we feel afraid in the dark when 
we are doing right? The Lord said long, long ago that not 
a sparrow fell to the ground unnoticed by Him. Don't you 
think we are more precious to the Lord than a sparrow? 
Then do you think the Lord would let us suffer injury and 
not know it? (In whom should we put our trust always? 
Who is all powerful?) 



LESSON 12. THE FIRST TEMPLE IN OUR DAY 

References: "The Latter-day Prophet," chapter 22- 
23. "One Hundred Years of Mormonism," pages 202-210; 
"Essentials in Church History," pp. 153-154; 188-192. 

Aim: Through obedience to our Heavenly Father 
we may some day receive the wonderful blessings given 
in the temples of the Lord. 

Memory Gem.: "And verily I say unto you, Let this 
house be built unto my name, That I may reveal mine or- 
dinances therein unto my people." (Doctrine and Covenants 
Sec. 124:140.) 

Outline : 

I. God Commands His People to Build a Temple. 

1. At Kirtland, Ohio. 

2. To be a house of God. 

II. A Great and Dangerous Task. 
1. People few and poor. 



58 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



2. Surrounded by enemies. 

III. A Vision of Heaven. 

1. A throne and those who sat on it. 

2. Other great ones. 

3. A beautiful place. 

IV. The Dedication and After. 

1. Gathering of the people. 

2. The rushing wind. 

3. The pillar of light. 

4. Angelic visitors. 

V. A Week After. 

1. The Lord shows Himself and speaks. 

2. Moses, Elias, and Elijah appear. 

Point of Contact: How many of you have seen a 
temple? Who has seen a picture of one of our temples? 
Which one? Whose houses are our Temples? Yes, the 
Lord's houses. Who would like to hear about the first 
one built in our day? 

Story: The Lord gave a revelation to Joseph Smith 
in which he said, "Establish a house of prayer, a house 
of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house 
of glory, a house of order, a house of God." 

To build such a house was a great undertaking, for there 
were not many Saints in Kirtland, where it was to be built ; 
and the members of the Church generally were not rich. But 
the people, led in the work by the Propset Joseph, assisted by 
his brother Hyrum, George A. Smith, and others, went at 
it whole-heartedly; and, although the wicked tried to pre- 
vent it, the Temple was built. 

Shortly before the dedication of the Temple, the Prophet 
Joseph and several other men visited it. Joseph's father 
was blessed and anointed as Patriarch, and he blessed and 
anointed the Prophet and his conselors. A wonderful thing 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 59 



then happened. A glorious vision was given the Prophet. 
He saw through the beautiful gates of heaven a glorious 
throne, on which were seated our Heavenly Father and His 
Son, Jesus Christ. He also saw Adam the first man, who 
was in the Garden of Eden, and other Heavenly Beings. The 
streets seemed to be paved with gold and everything was 
beautiful beyond description. Other brethren who were there 
saw visions of beantiful angels, even an army of angels, 




The Kirtland Temple 

27 



60 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



who could protect God's people. The Prophet and his 
brethren sang and shouted for joy. 

The day for the dedication of the Temple came, and 
the people gathered with love for God and all His children 
in their hearts, and with songs of gladness, and oh, how 
richly God blessed them ! During the evening the people 
outside the Temple heard a sound like the rushing of a 
strong wind, and ran to the Temple to learn what caused it. 
They saw a bright light, like a pillar of fire, resting above 
it, and knew something wonderful was happening inside. 
The sound was an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit, and 
the people rose from their seats. The Temple was filled 
with angels, whom the people saw. Many beautiful gifts 
of the Spirit were given to the people, which made them 
very happy. 

On Sunday, April 3, 1836, a week after the dedication, 
a most wonderful vision was given to the Prophet Joseph 
and Oliver Cowdery in the Temple. While they were pray- 
ing, they saw in vision the Savior. His eyes were like flames 
of fire. His hair was white as pure snow, and His face 
brighter than the sun. He spoke to Joseph and Oliver and 
made some splendid promises to them and for His people. 
Then there came to Joseph and Oliver men who once lived 
on earth of whom we have studied in earlier lessons, Moses 
who led the Israelites out of bondage and to whom was 
given the Ten Commandments, Elias and Elijah, great 
prophets of old. Moses gave Joseph and those who should 
follow after him authority to gather God's people from all 
of the nations of the earth; Elijah revealed the great work 
of the dead so that our great, great grandfathers and grand- 
mothers who did not have a chance to be baptized as we 
have or shall have, might be baptized for in the Temples 
and thus enter God's Kingdom. Now we know where we 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 61 



can go and get many of God's greatest blessings both for 
ourselves and for our loved ones who have died. 

Application: Do you know anyone who was mar- 
ried in one of the Temples? Or who has been there tor 
other blessings? Have your parents or other members of 
your family "worked" in a temple? What does that mean? 
Yes, doing things for the dead which they cannot do for 



i 




The Salt Lake Temple 



62 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



themselves— baptism, etc. What kind of people only are sup- 
posed to go to the Temples? Why? What can you do 
to make sure you can go to the Temple for God's bless- 
ings when you get old enough ? 



LESSON 13. TRUE TO THE FAITH 

References: "The Latter-day Prophet/' chapters 28 
and 29; "Essentials of Church History," pp. 205-256. 

Aim: Good men will suffer for the truth, even die 
for it. 

Memory Gem: "Faithful and true we will ever 
stand." 

Outline : 

I. The Saints build Far West. 

II. New troubles. 

III. Death of David W. Patten. 

IV. Imprisonment of the Prophet. 

1. His betrayal. 

2. He silences the swearing guards. 

3. His escape. 

V. Removal to Illinois. 

Point of Contact: Did you ever have any plaything 
you liked very much? What? Has anyone ever tried 
to take away from you anything you prized? What? 
What did you do? There are some things worth more 
than playthings or money? What? Yes, our good name, 
our honor, and the truth. Today we are going to tell 
about good men who would have died rather than go back 
on what they knew was right. 

Lesson Statement: After the Saints had - been driven 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



63 



out of Zion, they hardly knew where to go. Finally they 
decided to stay across the big Missouri River on the 
other side from where the mob lived. It was so wide 
and swift that they thought the mob would not cross it. 
After two years, they built another fine city in northern 
Missouri called Far West. 

For a short time they were very happy there. They 
had beautiful farms, a good church, and good schools. 
The Prophet Joseph, too, had come to live with them. 
He had left Kirtland and in Far West had a good home. 
He taught the people so much truth and lived so nobly 
that all true Saints loved him. 

But the Saints were not happy very long. Their 
old enemies did not want them to have any say in run- 
ning affairs. When they went to vote, the Missourians 
tried to make them stay home so they could elect the of- 
ficers and run the government. Then, too, the mobbers 
did not like what the Saints believed. So they formed 
mobs again and attacked our people. This time they were 
more cruel than they had ever been before. It would 
have been easy for the Saints to go back on the truth 
and be wicked like the mob and lead bad lives. But 
this they would not do. They would die before they 
would be untrue. 

One of the best men of our Church at this time was 
Apostle David W. Patten. A wicked man named Cap- 
tain Bogart took three brethren prisoners from their 
homes. He spread the report that he was going to kill 
them that night. Apostle Patten went to rescue them. 
Bogart's men commenced shooting at our men as soon 
as they came near his camp. Brave Captain Patten and 
his men rushed down to meet the mob. So brave was 
the charge that the wicked mobbers broke and fled. One, 
however, turned and fired at Apostle Patten, wounding 



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him badly. That night he died. The Prophet was there 
at the time. Brother Patten's last words to his wife 
were, "Whatever you do, do not deny the faith !" What 
a great man was he so bravely to die for his friends and 
the truth ! 

Soon after this the wicked governor of Missouri sent 
out two thousand men to 'drive our people out of the 
State. This army came to Far West and surrounded the 
town. The leader of the defenders of Far West was a 
man named Colonel Hinkle. Everybody thought he would 
be true. 

The rrnobbers hoisted a white flag. Colonel Hinkle 
went out to meet it. When he returned, he told Joseph 
that the leaders wanted to make peace and desired that 
he and the leading brethren should come over to their 
camp to talk terms. Joseph and some others did so ; but 
when they reached the camp, Hinkle, the wicked traitor, 
said : "These are the prisoners I agreed to deliver up." 

The Prophet and his brethren were taken before the 
leader of the army that night. He told them all they 
should be put to death next morning at eight o'clock. 
But a brave general in the army said that was murder. 
So they were sent to Independence to prison. There they 
would not go back on the truth. Just the contrary. Al- 
though they were prisoners, they preached to the guard 
and the people everytime they got a chance. They 
would teach the truth, even if it cost them their lives. 
Were they not true, courageous men? 

Soon after, they were sent to another prison. Over 
them were coarse, drunken guards. While the brethren 
would be trying to sleep, these men' would swear terribly 
and tell vulgar, filthy stories. Joseph, one night, stood 
it as long as he could. Then he arose and in a voice of 
thunder said : 



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"'Silence! ye fiends of the infernal pit! In the name 
of Jesus Christ I rebuke you and command you to be 
still; I will not live another minute and hear such lan- 
guage. Cease such talk, or you or I die this instant.' 

"He ceased to speak. He stood erect in terrible 
majesty. Chained and without weapons, calm, unruffled, 
and dignified as an angel, he looked down upon the 
quailing guards, whose knees smote together, and who, 
shrinking into a corner, or crouching- at his feet, begged 
his pardon and remained quiet until the exchange of 
guards."— Parley P. Pratt. 

While in Liberty Jail the Prophet was allowed to 
write. Don't you think he was a true man to write a 
letter to the Saints in which he said : "We glory in our 
persecution because we know that God is with us. He 
is our friend, and will save our souls." 

Soon after this the Prophet and his brethren were 
sent to a distant county with some drunken guards. They 
walked away from them, and soon were on the way to 
their loved ones who now were in Illinois on the other 
side of another great river, the Mississippi. 

They had been true to the faith and God had pre- 
served their lives. 

Application: Has anyone ever tried to get you to 
do what you knew to be wrong? What? How did you 
answer? If we do what is right, our Heavenly Father 
will love us and help us. 



LESSON 14. NAUVOO THE BEAUTIFUL— 
A DAY OF GOD'S POWER 

Reference: "Latter-day Prophet," chapter 32; "Es- 
sentials in Church History," pp. 263-271. 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



67 



Aim: Through faith in our Heavenly Father and 
the exercise of the power of the Priesthood which He has 
restored, the sick can be healed. 

Memory Gem: "I say unto thee, Arise." 

Outline: 

I. The Saints go from Missouri to Illinois. 

1. Still wanting to serve the Lord. 

2. Received kindly. 

II. Brigham Young's Plan. — To Find Another Gathering 
Place. 

III. Joseph Purchases Land at Commerce. — A Splendid 
Site. 

IV. The Beautiful Cfty. 

V. Hardships Endured Before it Became so Beautiful. 

1. Marshy lands — disease breeding. 

2. Living in tents. 

3. Many taken ill. 

VI. A Day of God's Power. 

1. Many sick healed. 

2. The wonderful case of Elijah Fordham. 

Point of Contact: Do you remember when we were 
studying about the Lord Jesus and the wonderful things He 
did when on the earth, of the young girl whom we knew 
as the daughter of Jairus ? How, when she was so sick that 
many thought she would surely die, her father believing in 
the Lord Jesus Christ, sought Him and said: "My little 
daughter lieth at the point of death ; I pray (thee, come and 
lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed : and she shall 
live." 

What happened when Jesus stood at her bedside and, 
taking her by the hand, said: "Damsel, I say unto thee, 
Arise"? Yes, she was healed and arose from her bed and 
ate some meat. Let us repeat the words of the Lord: "I 
say unto thee, Arise." 



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Our Heavenly Father in His great love for us has 
given many people in this day the same faith that Jairus had, 
and while Jesus is not with us in person as in that day, yet 
He has given men who live with us [today, the right and 
the power to bless and heal the sick just as He did, for He 
promised that His disciples should have even greater power 
because He was going to the Father. 

This morning we shall tell you a story of healing in our 

clay. 

Story: The Saints, driven from their homes in Mis- 
souri, with sorrowing souls turned their faces towards the 
State of Illinois. 

Their trials and sorrows had been severe ; but their 
faith in their Heavenly Father was unshaken; and they but 
sought a place where they could serve Him, where they 
could gaither and under the leadership of such men as the 
Prophet Joseph Smith and other men whom God had called 
into His service and be instructed in righteousness, thus 
learning of God's ways that they might walk in His paths. 

The people of the State of Illinois were shocked at the 
unkind treatment the people of Missouri had given the 
Saints, and invited them to come to their State, and when 
they came received them very kindly. 

While Joseph was in prison, Brigham Young, (then 
President of the twelve apostles, laid plans for a gathering 
place for the Saints; and when Joseph came out of prison, 
he decided to purchase some land on the banks of the Mis- 
sissippi River at a place called Commerce. 

The site was a very beautiful one, for the great river 
swept around it in a half circle, giving it three fronts upon 
the water. Here the people soon began to gather until 
there arose a city of many thousands of people, who so loved 
the Lord that they built a splendid temple in honor of His 
name and for the salvation of His children. The name was 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



69 



changed to Nauvoo, which means "beautiful." And surely 
it was beautiful with its comfortable homes and gardens, 
the temple on the brow of the hill overlooking the city, and 
the fields of grass and flowers stretching out for miles 
around it ! 

But this condition of beauty and peace was not brought 
about in a day, for when the Saints first settled there it was 
an unhealthy place, with but a few scattered houses or bar- 
racks on either side of the river. These few buildings were 
soon occupied, and then other people coming had fto live for 
a time in tents and covered wagons. This was the condi- 
tion on the 22nd day of July, 1839, when the Lord tried the 
faith of the people still further, for the air from jthe marshes 
was impure, the lands wet and soggy, and many of the 
Saints had become very ill, until there was scarcely a house 
or a tent in which there was not one or more sick in it. 
Again the people mourned. 

Joseph, strong as he was, was taken ill; but not until 
he had worn himself out nursing the sick. On this day, 
however, grieved over the condition of the people whom he 
loved, he prayed to the Lord who gave him such great faith 
that he arose from his bed and went about administering to 
the sick. The power of our Heavenly Father was manifested 
in a wonderful manner; and just as He caused the sick to 
be healed in the days of our Lord Jesus Christ, so He caused 
the sick to be healed on the banks of the Mississippi under 
the hands of His latter-day Prophqt and Apostles. From 
door to door, from tent to tent they went, commanding the 
sick to arise and be healed, and the people's hearts were 
made glad. They praised the Lord who is (the Giver of all 
good. Several members of the quorum of the Twelve Apos- 
tles were ill ; but as they were healed under the administra- 
tion of the Prophet, they arose from their beds and went 
with Joseph, assisting him in healing others. 



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Let us tell you of one case which we would like you to 
remember. President Wilford Woodruff saw it and wrote 
a full account of it in his journal, from which we quote: 1 

"The next place they visited was the home of Elijah 
Fordham, who was supposed to be about breathing his last. 
When the company entered the room, the Prophet of God 
walked up to the dying man, and took hold of his right 
hand and spoke to him; but Brother Fordham was unable 
to speak ; his eyes were set in his head like glass, and he 
seemed entirely unconscious of all around him. Joseph held 
his hand and looked into his eyes in silence for a length of 
time. A change in the countenance of Brother Fordham 
was soon perceptible to all present. His sight returned, and 
upon Joseph asking him if he knew him, he, in a low whis- 
per, answered, 'Yes.' Joseph asked him if he had faith to be 
healed. He answered, 'I fear it is too late ; if» you had come 
sooner I think I could have been healed.' The Prophet said, 
'Do you not believe in Jesus Christ?' He answered in a 
feeble voice, T do.' Joseph stood erect, still holding his 
hand in silence several moments, then he spoke in a loud 
voice, saying, 'Brother Fordham, I command you in the 
name of Jesus Christ to arise from this bed and be made 
whole.' His voice was like the voice of God and not of man. 
It seemed as though the house shook to its very foundation. 
Brother Fordham arose from his bed and was immediately 
made whole. His feet were bound in poultices, which he 
kicked off ; then putting on his clothes, he ate a bowl of 
bread and milk and followed the Prophet into (the street." 

Thus we see that God's servants in this day have been 
given the same power to bless, to heal, as His servants in 
olden days had. 

Through faith and the administration of the Elders of 
God's Church, the sick can be made well. Jesus our Lord and 
His Apostles of old used to go about doing good, and saying 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 71 



to the sick : "I say unto thee, arise ;" and again in our day, 
the servants of the Lord have the right to thus bless the 
people and say: "I say unto (thee, Arise." Let us repeat 
the words and always remember them. 

Application: What would you like to have done 
for you were you sick? Yes, you would want your parents 
to send for the elders of the Church. What for? How good 
God is to thus bless His children, giving them faith to be 
healed and sending the Priesthood |to administer to them that 
they may be healed. 



LESSON 15. THE MARTYRDOM 

References: "The Latter-day Prophet," chapters 38 
and 40. "Essentials in Church History," pp. 358-384. 

Aim: The Spirit of God and the knowledge that a 
man is doing right, gives him power to do his duty, even 
though it cost him his life. 

Memory Gem: "I am going like a lamb to the 
slaughter, but I am calm as a summer's morning." 

Song: "We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet." 

Outline : 

I. Joseph a splendid man. — Physically, mentally, spirit- 
ually. 

II. A great Prophet. 

1. We see the fulfillment of one of his prophecies. 

III. Hated by the Wicked. 

1. Plots to destroy him. 

2. Called into court many times. 

IV- Loved by the Saints. — Christmas Morning. 
V. Decides to go West. 
1. Object. 



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2. Called back by his friends. 

VI. "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter." — To 
Carthage Jail. 

VII. The Martyrdom.— Faithful unto Death. 

Point of Contact: Jesus taught His people by ex- 
ample, how to do many things : how we should be baptized. 

whajt to do in case of sickness ; how to overcome temptation; 
and how, if it became necessary, one should be brave enough 
to die for the truth. We shall tell you today of one who 
was strong enough and brave enough to follow Jesus in these 
things. 

Story: The Prophet Joseph was now in the fulness 
of manhood. He was tall, full of physical strength and 
courage, in good health, full of knowledge, and wise beyond 
all men, for his Teacher was and long had been the Lord 
through His Holy Spirit. He was constantly teaching the 
most splendid truths, and uttered some very remarkable 
prophecies. Among these prophecies was one; that the 
Saints would go to the Rocky Mountains and there 'become 
a mighty people. As the Saints are in the Rocky Moun- 
tains and have become a mighty people, we know that Jos- 
eph spoke the truth and was a true prophet. At that time 
only Indians, trappers, and wild animals lived in the Rocky 
Mountains ; and it was not supposed hat people could raise 
things to eat and make homes there. O, how he loved the 
people, that people that believed and obeyed the Gospel, 
because of which the wicked hated and persecuted them ! 

There were some men who had joined the Church, then 
sinned, and because of sinning, lost the Spirit of the Lord, 
and being" tempted of the evil one, became very wicked 
and sought the prophet's life. A special conference was held 
at Nauvoo, beginning on April 6, 1844. The next day was 
Sunday, and twenty thousand Saints gathered to hear the 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



73 



Prophet speak. Joseph spoke for a long time, yet the people 
did not tire but listened to the wonderful truths, motionless, 
almost breathless. His voice was like the voice of an angel. 
The people wanted to hear every word. When you grow 
up, you will read about that splendid sermon and understand 
the great truths it contained. His enemies were again plot- 
ting to destroy him, thinking if they could kill him, the 
Church would almost be destroyed and God's work on earth 
be stopped. 

We must tell you of one Christmas morning, 1843, 
when Joseph and his brother Hyrum were awakened by 
hearing the song, "Mortals, awake ! with angels join," 
sung so sweetly it seemed to them angels were singing 
it; but, when they went to the window and looked out, 
they saw in the hazy light of Christmas morning a group 
of women and children who were thus showing their love 
for God's prophet. Joseph blessed them, and all hearts 
were filled with tenderness and joy. 

Joseph suffered much persecution. False charges were 
made against him from time to time, and he was arres ed 
many times ; but wehn brought to trial it was always shown 
that he had done no wrong. This made his enemies all the 
more angry and determined to kill him. Learning of a plan 
to take his life, he and his brother Hyrum decided to go 
to the Rocky Mountains to escape from his enemies and to 
chose a place of safety for the Sainits. Tears streamed down 
the Prophet's cheeks as he said goodby to his loVed ones. 

Some time after some of the Saints who had a fault 
finding spirit criticized his going and sent word to him hat 
they thought i(t cowardly to go and leave the people. When 
Joseph heard that, he said, "If my life is of no value to my 
friends, it is of none to myself." So 'they went back, 
Joseph saying further, "I am going like a lamb to the 
slaughter, but I am as calm as a summer morning." He 



74 



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knew the wicked wanted his life and would take it; but 
as he had done only those things that would benefit and 
bless the people, he was not afraid to die, for he said, "I 
have a conscience void of offense toward God and all men." 
Let us repeat his words, "I am going like a lamb to the 
slaughter, but I am as calm as a summer morning." How 
splendid it would be thus to face danger and death ! 

Joseph also said: "If they take my life, I shall die 
an innocent man, and it shall yet be said of me, 'He was 
murdered in cold blood'. " 

They returned and after some startling occurrences, 
Joseph and others started for Carthage where they knew their 
wicked enemies were, and where Joseph was to be again 
tried. As they passed the temple, the Prophet gazed upon it, 
and looked over the city, then in a tender, sad tone, said, 
"This is the loveliest place and these are the best people 
under the heavens; little do they know; the trials that await 
them." 

They returned and after some startling occurrences, 
but it was not given. 

On June 27, 1844, the Prophet Joseph, his brother, 
Hyrum, Aposle John Taylor, and Willard Richards were 
prisoners in Carthage jail. They were very sad, for they 
felt something awful was going ,to happen. They prayed 
and sang hymns and waited. 

In the afternoon a mob of two hundred men, with 
blackened faces, rushed on the jail, ran up the stairs, burst 
open the door where the brethren were, and fired upon them. 
Elders Taylor and Richard's tried to push ,the guns aside with 
their canes, but the bullets came into the room. The first 
to fall was Hyrum. Elder Taylor was then struck by several 
bullets and fell to the floor. Joseph then went to the window 
only to find that part of the mob were outside. They im- 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 75 



mediately fired at him, and instantly he was shot both from 
the inside and outside of the building and fell dead. 

Elder Taylor did not die, and Elder Willard Richards 
was not wounded. Both lived to come to the Rocky Moun- 
tains with ithe Saints, and Elder Taylor later became Presi- 
dent of the Church. 

Joseph, the prophet, and Hyrum the patriarch, were 
dead, two of the noblest men the world has ever seen. Save 
Jesus, no greater prophet ever lived than Joseph Smith. 

"Praise to his memory ; he died as a martyr, 
Honored and blest be his ever great name." 

Joseph's earthly work was done, and the Lord had called 
him to the heavenly home. 

Application: It is not likely that we shall be re- 
quired to die for the truth, but we must learn to be brave 
enough to do lesser ithings the Lord wants of us. What are 
some of the things we must do? (Be obedient to God, to 
our parents, to those who preside over us. Be baptized. 
Depend upon the Lord always. Tell the truth.) 



LESSON 16. ANOTHER MOSES CALLED— 
BRIGHAM YOUNG 

References: "Essentials in Church History," pp. 
385-408. 

Aim: The Gospel of the Lord cannot be destroyed 
by killing its leaders on eai]th. 

Memory Gem: God's promises fail not, neither shall 
they be delayed. 

Outline : 
I. Mourning of the Saints. 

28 



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PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



II. Sidney Rigdon wants to lead the Church. 

III. The return of the Apostles. 

IV. Brigham Young and Apostles to lead the Church. 
1. The sign given the people. 

V. Further Mobbings. 

VI. The Temple. 

1. The work on it. 

2. Ijts completion and dedication. 

VII. The First Body of the Saints Leave Nauvoo. 

VIII. Trials of Those Left. 

IX. Settlements Made During Journey. 

Point of Contact: Tell of God calling Moses to lead 
ancient Israel from their enemies and briefly review some 
of the incidents of their journey: manna, striking the rock 
for water, etc. Then tell the children that our lesson will 
be about. God calling a man in our day, to lead His people 
out into the wilderness, and the wonderful way God took care 
of them on their journey. Many of our fathers and mothers 
knew this man. 

Lesson Statement : What a sad scene when Joseph's 
and Hyrum's bodies were brought into Nauvoo and buried, 
and how ithe people mourned the loss of Prophet and Patri- 
arch! Apostle Richards counseled peace, and leaving the 
punishment of the wicked murderers to he Lord . 

While the people recognized the Lord as our shepherd, 
it is necessary for us to have someone on earth to lead the 
people who now appeared like sheep without a shepherd. 
The Apostles, most of whom were away on missions, were 
called back. Sidney Rignon, the only one alive of ithe First 
Presidency, claimed the leadership ; but when at a meeting in 
the grove, the people were to decide who should be the 
leader, ithe Lord worked a miracle ; for When Brigham Young 
who was President of the Twelve Apostles, arose to speak, 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 77 

it seemed as if it were Joseph the Prophet, both in voice 
and appearance. "The mantle of Joseph had fallen upon 
Brigham, as the mantle of Elijah of old fell upon Elisha; and 
the people recognized it as a sign from heajven that Brigham 
Young was to be the leader, with the Quorum of the Twelve 
associated. 

The wicked mob continued to hurt the people, especially 

those living outside of Nau- 
voo, whose houses they 
burned, and whose cattle 
they killed, forcing them to 
move into Nauvoo. It be- 
came evidently necessary 
for the people to leave that 
part of the country if they 
wished to serve God and 
live. The people loved the 
Temple which they had 
been building, and, even if 
they could not use it long, 
were determined to com- 
plete it, so, almost with a 
"trowel in one hand and a 
sword in the other" they 
President Brigham Young worked until it was com- 
pleted, dedicated,and God gave the people great blessings in it. 

The people were preparing to leave their beautiful homes 
and go into the wilderness, where Joseph had prophesied 
they should go. Imagine, if you can, what it means for a 
whole people to prepare for such a journey, for they must 
take everything needed both for the journey and for their 
immediate needs after they reached the unknown place to 




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which they intended going. How busy they were and how 
hard it was to get just what they needed, especially as the 
mob continued persecuting them and destroying their prop- 
erty ! 

On February 4, 1846, the move began. Just think of 
starting out by crossing a great river and going into a land 
where there were no houses for shelter or anything else ready 
for them, at such a cold stormy time of the year ! Yet the 
mob would not let them stop any longer. How the people 
suffered ! Many died. 

Several hundred of the people had not been able to get 
wagons and other necessary things for the journey, so they 
remained in Nauvoo. This so angered the mob that in 
September, 1846, they came against the city with cannon 
and guns. A battle was fought, and some of our people were 
killed. It was necessary for the rest of our people to leave, 
which they did, poorly prepared either with food, clothing, 
or wagons. A large number moved into Iowa, where fthey 
had little to eat ; but the Lord provided them with food, 
for their camp was visited by great flocks of quail, many of 
which the people caught by hand. Thus were tney fed. 

Have you seen a family moving from one house to an- 
other? That is hard enough. Indescribably harder was it 
for this multitude of thousands to move from their homes 
in wagons drawn by cattle. Such roads ! They often mired 
in the mud hub deep, and women and children walked across 
the swamp or, perhaps, up steep hills. Don't you think 
they must have loved the Lord ? But the Lord had raised up 
President Young, a great leader, just as he raised Moses to 
lead the Israelites out of bondage over desert and plain to 
their home in Palestine. 

Many of the people, not being ready for the great jour- 
ney, had gone to St. Louis to get work, so they could make 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 79 



the trip later. Many others were coming from England and 
other places, so it was necessary to establish wayside sta- 
tions, where people, coming later, could rest and obtain 
shelter and food. 

The first of such stations was one hundred forty-five 
miles west of Nauvoo. They called it Garden Grove, where 
the first company built log houses, put up rail fences, dug 
wells, and cleared and planted the land, the crops of which 
were to be for those who came later. 

Thirty miles farther on was Mt. Pisgah, similar to Gar- 
den Grove. Beyond that point was only wild, Indian lands. 

President Young and many others pressed on until they 
reached the Missouri river, where they made a camp on the 
east side called Council Bluffs. 

It was decided to build a town on ithe west side of the 
river. It was laid out in regular streets, and by December, 
1846, five hundred eighty- three houses had been built, oc- 
cupied by 3,483 people. This was called Winter Quarters, 
It became an important place in the history of "Mor- 
mon" people. 

Application: God's promises never fail. When He 
makes a promise, it will be kept. When He starts to do any- 
thing, He will do it. No man or number of men can prevent 
it, no matter how hard they try. 



LESSON 17. THE MORMON BATTALION 

References: "Essentials in Church History," pp. 408- 
412 : 422-432. 

Aim: Loyalty brings joy and blessings. 

Memory Gem: "Loyalty to duty is the way to 
glory." 



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PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Songs: "America," other patriotic songs, or any 
song about the Mormon Baittalion the children may already 
know. 

Outline : 
T. Condition of the Saints. 

1. In temporary stopping places. 

2. Homeless, sick, and suffering, surrounded by dan- 
gers. 

3. Journey and labor before them. 

II. Th Call to Armas. — A Supreme Test of Loyalty. 

1. Request sent by Brigham Young to the President. 

2. The answer. 

3. How received' and responded to. 

III. The Departure and Journey. 

1. Instructions and promise of Brigham Young. 

2. Their attempt at merriment. 

3. Hardships of crossing (the desert — an unequalled 
march of infantry. 

IV. Sojourn in California. 

1. Promises of Brigham Young fulfilled. 

2. Things they accomplished. 

V. Their Return March to Their Loved Ones. 

1. Many missing. 

2. Families scattered in different places. 

3. Joy from having performed their duty. 

4. Their example of loyalty to the flag of all America. 

Point of Contact : Show a flag. Talk of our love for 
and* pride in our flag. Speak of the meaning of the flag — 
red for courage, white for purity, blue for loyalty. All 
of these virtues God loves. Each of us should possess them. 
Teachers might speak of the many millions of soldiers who 
fought in Europe, showing their courage and loyalty to 
their countries. Speak of the soldiers from your home who 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



81 



have recently responded to the call of (the United States. A 
little time may be spent in speaking of their patriotism. 

Lesson Statement: The Saints made temporary 
stopping* places. Many were sick; some had already been 
buried by the wayside. All were homeless and sorrowful. 
They were weary but must plan for the long journey ahead 
of them — a journey through a wilderness where only ani- 
mals and Indians roamed — to a new home which they would 
build for peace. 

While preparations for the journey were going on, 
President Young sent a messenger to the President of the 
United States, telling him of the cruelties suffered by the 
Saints, their loyally to the government, their necessity of 
seeking a new home, and asking him to employ them to carry 
supplies to Oregon or other places on the coast. News came 
that war had broken out in Mexico, and the President saw 
a way in which to use these pioneers. He would ask five 
hundred to be soldiers to fight the Mexicans. This was the 
answer the messenger brought to a people, homeless, sick, 
and poor. These people had failed to receive help from their 
country ; indeed, it almost seemed as though it had permitted 
mobs to rob them, murder their prophet, and turn them out 
homeless ! Now it was asking aid at a time when they were 
facing all the dangers of crossing the wilderness, when 
every able-bodied man was needed to protect them from the 
red men and beasts of prey, when the sick needed every sup- 
port they could cling to ! Five hundred of their best men 
wanted! What did they do? It was the testimony of the 
Gospel which enabled them to make the sacrifice ! President 
Young said, ''You shall have the battalion ;" and five 
hundred men volunteered to go. 

Before they left, President Young gave them r ome won- 
derful instructions. He told them to be true to their country 



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and their God, to remember their prayers, never to steal, 
even from their enemies, not to swear, to be clean, and to 
treat men kindly. He promised them that on no occasion 
should they be required to shed human blood. Then the 
people gaA T e them a nice farewell party, and all tried to be 
happy. But the merry faces concealed sad hearts. 

It is said (that their march is unequaled in history. They 
nearly boiled in the sun of the desert and almost froze in the 
moun ains. Their food ran short, and they were reduced to 
half rations. They went without water for whole days. 
They worked itheir way over mountains, dug wells, hewed 
passages through solid rock without even a guide. 

When they arrived in California, they showed their 
loyalty by doing just what was commanded. The promise 
of President Young was fulfilled. They did not fight. They 
spent their time doing better things : digging wells building- 
houses and teaching the Spaniards how to do these things. 

At last, when their time was up, July 17, 1847, most of 
them came back to their loved ones. Some were even willing 
to reenlist. Some remained and discovered gold in California. 

By the time they returned, many of their loved ones 
had come to Salt Lake Valley of which we will learn later, 
while some were still at Winter Quarters. What joy must 
have been theirs after they had accomplished their duty! 
We are never so happy as when we have done right, no mat- 
ter if it does mean sacrifice. Theirs is one of the brightest 
examples of loyalty in the history of nations. We are all 
proud of them. It shows the world that the Latter-day Saints 
are true, loyal Americans. 

Application: We can be loyal to our country by 
keeping its laws and being honest, brave and pure. When 
we grow older, if our country needs us, we should be 
willing to respond. To whom should we be even more loyal 
than to our country? Do you think that if you were asked 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



83 



to do something for (the Church that you would be willing to 
do it ? Some day, if you are called to go on a mission, do you 
think that you will be willing? Missionaries are as loyal 
to the Lord as soldiers are to their country. 

LESSON 18. CROSSING THE PLAINS 

Reference: "Essentials in Church History," pp. 433- 
450; "One Hundred Years of Mormonism," Part Fourth, 
Chap. IV; other reliable histories or biograpnfes; former 
numbers of the "Juvenile." Personal experiences related 
by the Pioneers themselves will prove very valuable. 
Aim: Heroism and perseverance bring success. 
Memory Gem: 

If a task is once begun 
Never leave it 'till it's done ; 
Be the labor great or small, 
Do it well or not at all. 
Song: "Dare to do Right." 

Pictures : Brigham Young, Pioneer Camp, Entering 
the Valley, etc. A map of the journey may be found' on page 
135 of Nephi Anderson's "A Young Falks History of the 
Church." 

Outline : 

I. Preparation for the Journey. 

1 The Saints at Winter Quarters 

2. Selecting men, gathering supplies and equipment. 

II. The Journey. 

1. Discipline. 

2. Obstacles of travel. 

3. Camp life. 

4. Indians and buffalo. 

5. Observance of the Sabbath. 



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6. Climbing the Rockies. 
III. Arrival at Their New Home. 

1. Vew of Great Salt Lake Valley July 24, 1847. 

2. "Ths is the place.'' 

Point of Contact: How many have ever been out 
camping? What did you have to get ready? Were you 
going for pleasure to some nice, cool spot, or did you have 
to go? Were you going for a few days or for months or 

years ? 

Lesson Statement: We learn in the Bible of the Is- 
raeli es' traveling across the wilderness to reach the Promised 
Land where they could serve the Lord as they knew was 
right. Today we shall learn of the journey God's chosen 
people took in this dispensation so that ithey might worship 
the Lord in righteousness, unmolested. God raised up the 
mighty leader. Moses, to lead His people ages ago. He 
raised up another leader, like him, Brigham Young, to lead 
the Latter-day Saints. 

A great many of the Saints were at Winter Ouarters. 
The preparations for the journey were made there. 

In selecting men to go with him, Brigham Young chose 
some carpenters, some blacksmiths, bridge builders, farmers, 
mechanics, etc., for they were going to a place where all 
these would be needed, since no one lived in this country .They 
took all kinds of provisions, for there would be no stores in 
which to buy things to eat or wear. They took cows and 
chickens. They took seeds to plant in their new home. Then 
they loaded all these things in wagons, for there were no 
trains or automobiles, in which to cross the plains, and yoked 
their oxen to make the long journey. Oxen are very much 
like cows, but larger and stronger — that is why they were 
used. (Show a picture.") The mothers and children rode 
in the wagons, but most of the men and boys walked. These 



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people were called pioneers, because they had to travel a long 
way to a country where no white people had ever lived before. 

For many, many days they traveled over places where 
there were no roads. Ait night they camped on the ground in 
a circle made by their wagons. Hunters went out and sup- 
plied the camp with (buffalo, deer, antelope, geese, ducks, 
etc. They only killed enough to eat, and no more. They 
often sang songs around their camp fires. They never trav- 
eled on Sunday, but observed' iit as the Lord's day. 

Often they came to large streams ot waier to cross, 
with no bridges. Sometimes they saw some people with red 
skins, of whom they were afraid. Who do you suppose they 
were? Indians — of whom a great many wore skins and 
blankets. They were not gentle and harmless as the few 
we see today, but were often cruel and even killed people. 
They were just like wild men. But the Pioneers were always 
good to them; so the Indians would trade blankets and 
beads for flour and sugar, etc., and go peacefully away. 

Sometimes they saw a great cloud of dust away in the 
distance. As it, came closer, they could see black moving 
objects, then they would hear a noise like thunder In 
a few minutes a large heard of buffalo would go galloping 
by. These herds were very dangerous, as there were so 
many that anything in their path would have been trampled 
down. 

Finally, the Pioneers came to the mountains, which they 
had to climb, cutting their paths in the thisk brush. At last 
they came to "Little Mountain." How many of you have 
heard of that place? Yes, all of you who have ever been in 
Emigration Canyon, for these Pioneers were some of our 
grandparents, and they had come to Utah on the journey. 
President Young became very sick. He had mountain fever 
— a kind of typhoid fever. Wilford Woodruff took him in 
his carriage. At last President Young saw the valley, he 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 87 



said : "This is the place. Drive on." There was no beau- 
tiful city here then, no houses, nor temple, not even trees; 
nothing hut sage brush and sunflowers, with Great Salt 
Lake in the distance. How weary they were! To some it 
did not look inviting. But Brigham! Young was given a 
picture of the future — a picture of the beautiful Salt Lakt 
Valley and surrounding towns we have today. 

These heroic men had persevered in their struggle 
and hardships for three months and seventeen days, and 
had at last reached their new home. Even yet there were 
many hardships and a great deal of work before it would 
appear as a home, but they had reached their goal and 
success was theirs. 

Application: Could any of us work so hard and en- 
dure so much for three months and seventeen days? Do . 
you not think people who can persevere so much have a 
great deal of courage and are heroes? How many would 
like to be such heroes — always have courage to do the 
right and never give up, no matter if the task is great or 
small ? Sometimes we do not come to Sunday School if 
we have a headache or have not a new dress. Sometimes 
we let just little things .keep us from doing what is right ; 
but if we do, we will never be heroes and accomplish big- 
things. Let us remember our memory gem. 



LESSON 19. THE CRICKETS AND THE GULLS 

Reference: "One Hundred Years of Mormonism," 
Evans, p. 454, or other History of Utah. "Essentials of 
Church History, pp. 451-457; 46^-469. 

Aim: Industrious effort and gratitude bring God's 
blessings when human skill fails. 



88 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



Memory Gem: 

"When obstacles and trials seem 

Like prison walls to be, 
We'll do the little we can do, 

And leave the rest to Thee." 

— Whittier. 

Pictures: Monument to the Gulls, first house built 
in Utah, the Old Fort or other historic places. Children 
living in or near Salt Lake City should be directed to see 
some of these places and locations that are still standing. 
Special mention should be made of the monument to the 
gulls in the Temple Block. 

Outline : 

I. Subduing the Desert. 

1. Conditions to be fought. 

2. Explorations and industry. 

3. Plans for community established. 

II. Starvation Threatened. 

1. Crops planted and growing. 

2. Attacked by crickets. 

3. Efforts to destroy the pests of no avail. 

4. Appeal to the Lord. 

III. Deliverance. 

1. Arrival of the gulls. 

2. The crops saved. 

3. The people's thanksgiving. 

Point of Contact: Let us think a little of the Chil- 
dren of Israel crossing the wilderness. Why were they 
making* that journey? Who was watching over and 
directing them? They could not wait for grain to grow 
and could not carry enough to feed a nation for years. 
How were they fed? The Lord was willing to do this 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



89 



because they are doing His will? How do you suppose 
they were doing His will? How do you suppose they 
felt in their hearts for His blessings? How would you 
like to hear how the Lord blessed some of our grandpar- 
ents and great grandparents in a very wonderful way? 

Lesson Statement: When the first pioneers reached 
the valley, their hearts swelled with gratitude for .heir 
new peaceful home ; and a big prayer of thanksgiving went 
up from their hearts. Tell of their camp where Auer- 
bach's store now stands on Third South and State streets. 
They had a great deal of work to do. All was desert 
and waste before them. They had to build homes, plant 
seeds, and make the desert bloom as a garden, yielding 
food and comfort that could nowhere be bought, for them- 
selves and hundreds who would come. Wilford Wood- 
ruff planted potatoes even before he had eaten his dinner. 
Brigham Young was the first to put his hand in the lake ; 
Warm Springs was visited. Within a few days, hardly more 
han hours, the site for the temple was located. 

President Young put his cane in the ground, and said, 
"Here will be the temple of our God." The city was laid 
out in almost super-human wisdom. None of these things 
were done on the Sabbath, the 25th. That day, people 
rested, dressed as best they could, attended meeting, and 
partook of the Sacrament. They had to get rough logs 
and build homes. The first house built is still preserved 
in the Temple Block in Salt Lake City. 

They built a fort where many children now play in 
Pioneer Park. Many buildings were so crude that when 
it was raining, women would cook 'holding an umbrella 
over their head, or sick people would be so sheltered while 



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in bed — provided such a luxury as an umbrella was pos- 
sessed by the fortunate. 

Spring finally came. With it hopes of harvest and 
plenty to eat. New-comers continued to arrive, and many 
more were coming. Seeds were planted. No more wel- 
come sight was ever beheld by those brave souls than the 

green shoots coming out of the 
desert soil. Here was hope 
sprouting from faith, industry, 
and perseverance. The wheat 
grew, warmed by the sun and 
watered by streams brought 
down from the mountains. It 
was the wonderful system of 
irrigation that made it pos- 
sible to convert the desert in- 
to a rose. The people longed 
for the time when they would 
no longer have to eat roots 
and leaves, for provisions 
were that low, but would 
ha.ve wholesonre bread made 
from this beautiful Render 
wheat. They also wanted to 
store some away for the rest 
that would come. 

Then a terrible thing hap- 
pened. Some black insects, 
like grasshoppers, only larg- 
er, were seen among the 
wheat. They were crickets. 
Not only a few, but multi- 
tudes came. They came 
The Seagull Monument like armies of black, hopping 




CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



91 



pests, devouring that precious grain! Men, women, and 
children left whatever they were doing to drive them back. 
Nothing could help them. They tried to bea: them with 
brooms and sticks ; but to no avail. They scarcely missed the 
ones destroyed because so many more came (to take their 
place. 

Then the people could see their strongest efforts 
could do nothing. They were not hopeless. Surely God 
could help them. So they knelt down to pray. They 
prayed for deliverance. Never did people pray more earn- 
estly, for if help did not come, they would starve. 

Suddenly, from over the great lake, a white cloud 
seemed o rise. Higher and higher, closer and closer it 
came, until the people heard a noise like the flapping of 
many wings. Now they could see what it was ! It was 
countless numbers of beautiful white seagulls with their 
large wings outstretched, flying straight for the field's. 
Now the birds alighted. Would they eat all the grain 
the crickets left ? No ! ''See ! see !" cried the people, ''they 
are eating the crickets !" Never had birds such appetites. 
They ate and ate, flew back to the lake, returned and ate 
more. The crops were saved, and a burst of thanksgiving 
and praise arose from the hearts of a faithful people ! 

Application: Who caused the gulls to come? Why 
did our Heavenly Father so bless them? Tell of the Sea- 
gull monument in the Temple Block — a constant reminder 
to the people of this wonderful deliverance. 

Impress the children with the thought that when they 
grow up and even, perhaps, while they are young, they 
may be given tasks to do that seem impossible ; that if 
they put forth their best efforts, doing all in their power 



29 



92 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



then if they trust the Lord, He will assist them in their 
accomplishment. We should always thank Him for what 
He does for us. 



LESSON 20. JOHN TAYLOR 

Reference: ''Life of John Taylor," Roberts; ''Es- 
sentials in Church History," pp. 199, 259, 260, 369, 380- 
383, 436, 589, 596, 600. 

Aim: True greatness consists of doing first the will 
of the Lord. 

Memory Gem: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy 
mind." (Matt. 22:37.) 

Picture: President Taylor. 

Outline : 

I. Premonition of his Destiny. 

II. Searches for and Accepts the Truth. 

III. His Premonition comes rue. 

IV. Incidents Concerning His Call to the Apostleship. 

V. Mission to England. 

VI. Serious Illness and Healing of His Wife. 

VII. His Experiences at the Martyrdom. 

VIII. Gives up Home and Property to Follow Pioneers. 

IX. Made President of the Church. 

X. Separation from His Loved Ones and Death. 

Point of Contact: Whose will was Jesus always 
ready to do? Jesus spent His whole life and finally died 
doing His Father's will. The more people do for our 
Heavenly Father, the more like Jesus they will be. Can 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



93 



we think of some good men in the Bible who were willing 
to do the will of the Heavenly Father even though wicked 
people were cruel to them? Abraham, Daniel, and the 
three Hebrew children were some of them. Would you 
like to hear of another whom perhaps your grandparents 
knew who wished above all else to do what the Lord re- 
quired? 

Lesson Statement: After the Saints came to Utah, 
they not only built the beautiful city of Salt Lake with 
its wide streets lined with green trees and streams of 
water,, but they made other settlements. Many thousands 
of people came to Utah among them many who pushed 
hand carts all across the plains. The Saints built beau- 
tiful homes, churches, schoolhouses, stores, the Tabernacle, 
established farms, and were very indus rious. Later the 
telegraph came, and the railroad was built. 

Brigham Young died, and another man was chosen 
to be the President of the true Church. This man had his 
special mission to do and was one of the choice spirits in 
heaven. His name was John Taylor. We want to learn 
how he served the Lord. 

He was born across the ocean in England. He al- 
ways loved to pray and learn of his Heavenly Father. 
When but a young man, his parents came to America. 
While John Taylor was crossing the water, terrible storms 
arose. He saw several ships sink, and the officers expect- 
ed their own ship to go down. But not Brother Taylor. 
The voice of the Spirit kept prompting him, "You must 
go to America and preach the Gospel." "So confident was 
I of my destiny that I went on deck at midnight, and 
amidst the raging elements felt as calm as though I w&s 
sitting in a parlor at home," he said. After arriving in 
America safely, he was a preacher; but he had not yet 



94 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



learned of the true Church. His wife would ask him if 
he was not now preaching the Gospel in America. "This 
is not the work ; it is something more important," he 
would answer. 

He would often read the scriptures and he could see 
the difference between Christ's teachings and the teach- 
ings of the ministers. John Taylor believed that men 
should be called of God, that they should receive the Holy 
Ghost, that the true Church should have apostles, teach- 
ers, deacons, etc. 

When a "Mormon" missionary told him of the reve- 
lations Joseph Smith had received and of the Church 
organized under the direction of the Lord, he knew that 
it was true and was baptized. Then he started his min- 
istry and "preached the Gospel in America." 

Later Brother Taylor received word that he was to 
be chosen an apostle and to come to Far West. He was 
about fourteen hundred miles away without any money, 
but he put his trust in the Lord and made all preparations 
for he journey, even setting the date. The Lord did 
provide — he was invited by another brother in the Church 
to travel in his sleigh. 

Shortly after being ordained an apostle, he was sent 
on a mission to England. He left under the greatest diffi- 
culties. His family was sheltered in miserable log bar- 
racks in Montrose with only a solitary room amid sickness 
and poverty, threatened by mobs. His faith in the Lord 
and willingness to go forth at His command made it pos- 
sible for him to bid them farewell. While traveling 
he was taken very sick. Just as soon as he was able, he 
was up holding meetings on his way again, often being 
Ifelped financially by friends inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

After suffering a relapse, he finally reached New 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



95 



York where passage was engaged, although he had no 
money. But again the Lord provided. Before the vessel 
sailed, friends donated enough to pay his and another 
brother's way, but no more. 

When President Taylor returned home, after a very 
successful mission, he found his dear wife so sick that she 
was nearly dead. He called in twenty elders who anointed 




her with oil and blessed 
her. The prayer of faith 
healed the sick. 

John Taylor was with 
the Prophet when he was 
martyred. He was struck 
by several bullets. His 
watch probably saved his 
life as a bullet struck it and 
prevented him from fall- 
ing*, wounded, from the 
window. 

When the Saints left 
Nauvoo, Brother Taylor 
had quite a lot of proper- 
ty and a good, two-story 
home, but these he left to 
follow the pioneers across 



President John Taylor the P lains - 
He went on a number of other missions, in Europe 
and at home. 

When Brigham Young died, John Taylor was chosen 
President of the Church and given the Gardo House, the 
most beautiful house in Utah, to live in. He and his large 
family, whom he loved very dearly, lived there for some 
time. Then persecution began, and some men tried to 
prevent the Saints from living the way the Lord wanted 



96 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



them to live. President Taylor had to leave his dear ones 
and hide from his enemies for several years. He was not 
afraid of his enemies, and would rather have stayed with 
his family; but he knew that as President of the Church 
he should protect his life and liberty for the Lord's work. 
Finally he grew sick and died in his Heavenly Father's 
service. Surely there were many blessings waiting for 
him in heaven ! He loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, 
and mind. 

Application: Don't you think Brother Taylor loved 
the Lord Jesus Christ ; and while on one of his missions to 
Do you love the Lord as much as Brother Taylor did? 
Do you love him enough to do little things He wants us 
to do? If we love Him enough to do the little things 
while we are boys and girls, when we grow to be men and 
women we likely will love Him enough to do the big 
things. What are some of the things w r e should do for 
Him now? 



LESSON 21. WILFORD WOODRUFF 

Reference: "Leaves from My Journal," chapter 
XXVI (Wilford Woodruff) ; "Essentials in Church Hist- 
ory" pp. 199, 214, 262, 269, 279, 282, 603. 

Aim : We may be saved from danger by obeying the 
promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

Memory Gem and Song: "Let the Holy Spirit's 
Promptings." 

Picture: AVilford Woodruff. 

Outline : 

I. A Humble Man Who Loved the Lord. 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 97 

1. Before the days of railways and autos. 

2. Believes and is baptized. 

II. Called to.be an Apostle. 

1. Indicated to him by dream. 

2. Official call. 

III. A Great Missionary. 

IV. Becomes Fourth President of the Church. 

V. Safety in Giving Heed to the Holy Spirit's Prompt- 
ings. 

Point of Contact: Have you ever been in danger? 
Tell us about it. Would you like to hear of a good man 
who loved and served the Lord so well that God loved and 
watched over him, saving him many times from danger? 

Lesson Statement: Not so very long ago, before 
there were railroad trains running about everywhere and 
before there were any automobiles or aeroplanes, when 
people traveled on foot or horseback or in a wagon or 
carriage, a young man, believing in our Heavenly Father 
and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, and that 
Joseph Smith was a prophet, joined the Church. His 
name was Wilford Woodruff. He wanted all people to 
receive the blessings he- received through being baptized 
and having hands laid upon their heads for the reception 
of the Holy Ghost, so he went on several missions and 
baptized many people. 

He had a dream that he was to become an Apostle of 
the Lord Jesus Christ ; and while on one of his missions to 
the Fox Islands, he received a letter from the President 
of the Apostles calling him to Far West and telling him 
that the Lord had revealed that he (Brother Woodruff) 
was to be an Apostle. He was ordained and called 
upon a mission to Great Britain where he performed a 
wonderful work, baptizing many hundreds of people. 



98 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 

After the death of President John Taylor, Brother 
Woodruff became President of the Church and did so 
much good that all the people loved him. He was the 
fourth President. 

He had great faith, and was healed from sickness* 
himself, and many persons were healed under his admin- 
istration. While the Lord gave him many manifestations 

of His love, we can only 
tell now of some ways in 
which the Lord watched 
over and cared for him. 
This is his own story of 
how the Lord cared for him 
just after the death of the 
Prophet Joseph while on a 
mission : 

"While on my way 
east, I put my carriage into 
the yard of one of the breth- 
ren in Indiana, and Broth- 
er Orson Hyde set his wa- 
gon by the side of mine, 
and not more than two feet 
from it. * * * * 
My wife, one child and 
I went to bed in the car- 
President Wilford Woodruff r iage,the rest sleeping in the 
house. I had been in bed but a short time, when a voice 
said to me 'Get up and move your carriage.' It was not 
thunder, lightning, nor an earthquake, but the still voice 
of the Spirit of God — the Holy Ghost. I told my wife 
I must get up and move my carriage. She asked, "What 
for?" I told her I did not know, only the Spirit told me to 




CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 99 



do it. I got up and moved my carriage several rods, and 
set it near the side of the house. As I was returning to 
bed, the same Spirit said to me, "Go and move your mules 
away from that oak tree," which was about one hundred 
yards north of our carriage. I moved them to a young 
hickory grove and tied them up. I then went to bed. In 
thirty minutes a whirlwind caught the tree to which my 
mules had been fastened, ^Ibroke it off near the ground, and 
carried it one hundred yeards, sweeping away two fences 
in its course and laid it prostrate through the yard where 
my carriage stood, and the top limbs hit my carriage as it 
was. In the morning I measured tbe trunk of the tree 
which fell where my carriage had stood, and I found it to 
be five feet in circumference. It came within a foot of 
Brother Hyde's wagon but did not touch it. Thus, by 
obeying the revelations of the Spirit of God to me, I saved 
my life, the lives of wife and child, as well as my animals. 

"While returning to Utah in 1850, with a large com- 
pany of Saints from Boston and the east, on my arrival 
at Pittsburgh, I engaged a passage for myself and com- 
pany on a steamer to St. Louis. But no sooner had I 
engaged the passage than the Spirit said to me, 'Go not 
on board that steamer, neither you nor your company.' 
I obeyed the revelation to me, and I did not go on board 
but took another steamer. The first steamer started at 
dark, with two hundred passengers on board. When five 
miles down the Ohio river, it took fire and burned the 
tiller ropes, so that the vessel could not reach the shore, 
and the lives of nearly all on board were lost either by fire 
or water. W'e arrived in safety at our destination, by 
obeying the revelation of the Spirit of God to us. 

"In another instance, after attending a large annual 
conference in Salt Lake City, and having a good deal of 



100 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



business to attend to, I was somewhat weary, and at the - 
close of the conference I thought I would repair to my 
home and 'have a rest. As I went into the yard, the Spirit 
said to me, 'Take your team and go to the farm,' which 
is some three miles south of the tabernacle. As I was 
hitching the horse to the wagon, Mrs. Woodruff saked 
where I was going. I said, 'To the farm,' 'What for?' she 
asked. 

" T do not know,' I replied : but when I arrived there 
I found out. The creek had overflowed, broken through 
my ditch, surrounded my home, and filled my barn-yard 
and pig pen. My wife was wading in the water, trying 
to turn it from the lot, to save the home and family. 
Through my own exertions I soon turned it and prevented 
much damage that might have occurred had I not obeyed 
the voice of the Spirit/' 

Application: Who sent these warnings to President 
Woodruff After you are baptized what is done at Fast 
Meeting? What is given you? This is the same Spirit 
President Woodruff had. How must we live in order to 
keep the companionship of the Holy Spirit? 



LESSON 22. LORENZO SNOW 

Reference: "Lives of Our Leaders;'' L. D. S. Bio- 
graphical Encyclopedia, (Jensen) ; "Essentials in Church 
History," pp. 472, 615, 619, 621. 

Aim: If we exercise faith, no blessing is impossible 
for the Lord to grant." 

Memory Gem: "Ask but in faith, it shall be done." 

Picture: President Lorenzo Snow. 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



101 



Outline : 

I. President Lorenzo Snow 

1. Who he was. 

2. His strange testimony. 

3. His good work. 
LI. The Accident at Sea. 

1. While going to perform a mission. 

2. Conditions of the harbor. 

3. Boat capsized. 

III. The Rescue. 

1. By natives. 

2. All elders found except Brother Snow. 

3. Finally his lifeless body found. 

IV. Restoration to Life. 

1. Through physical efforts. 

2. Through faith and power of the Lord. 

Point of Contact: How many of you can swim? 
What would likely happen if you were in deep water and 
could not swim? 

Lesson Statement: This is a picture (teacher show 
a picture of President Snow) of the fifth President of our 
Church. Can anyone tell his name? Or~e Iv was almost 
drowned. 

He was a very, very good man. He prayed unto our 
Heavenly Father to know absolutely if this Church was 
right, and our Heavenly Father gave him a testimony so 
strong that he could not possibly doubt. He was baptized 
and became a member — he little dreamed that one day he 
would be its president. One thing that made President 
Snow so good was that he believed in and paid his tithing. 
What is tithing ? He not only paid iithes, but he got a 
great many members of the Church to do it, and it made 



102 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



them all very happy when they gave something to the 
Lord. 

Once, while he was an apostle, before he was presi- 
dent, he was going, with others, on a mission for the Lord 
to the Sandwich Islands. Do you know where they are? 
Way, way, off in the Pacific Ocean. The elders crossed 
the ocean and came to a little harbor where the sea is 

always rough. The har- 
bor was but a narrow 
passage between coral 
reefs. A breakwater had 
been built under shelter 
of which the natives skil- 
fully landed. As the boat 
with the elders approach- 
ed the breakwater, a great 
wave came up, overturn- 
ing the boat, and the 
elders were dropped 
twenty or thirty feet in 
the water. Some natives 
quickly came from the 
shore in a boat to rescue 
them. All except Lo- 
renzo Snow were found. 
President Lorenzo Snow They decided he was ut- 
terly lost and drowned. One of the elders insisted that they 
continue the search for him, and at last his body was dis- 
covered and dragged into the boat for dead. He was roll- 
ed on a barrel until all the water he had swallowed was 
ejected. They could find no signs of life whatever. His 
companions placed their mouths in his and inflated his 
lungs with their breath in imitation of natural respiration. 
All this time the brethren were exercising great faith over 




CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



103 



him ; and, finally after working for over an hour, he was 
revived. 

He lived to do a great work for the Lord. The 
Church prospered very much while he was president. 

Application: Who is greater than any doctor? Some- 
times doctors tell us our loved ones are so sick that they 
cannot possibly get well. Even when they are so sick, 
what could the Lord do? What would we have to have in 
order itha the Lord would so bless us? Yes, a great deal 
of faith. Sometimes we die. Why do you think that our 
Heavely Father does not always answers our prayers? 



LESSON 23. JOSEPH F. SMITH 

Reference: "Lives of Our Leaders;" L. D. S. Bio- 
graphical Encyclopedia (Jensen) ; "Juvenile Instructor," 
for January, 1919; "Era," for December, 1918, and Jan- 
uary, 1919; "Essentials of Church History," pp. 539, 589, 
605, 623, 637. 

Aim: Courage and fidelity to trust bring their own 
reward. 

Memory Gem: "Dare to please God, and you never 
need fear." 

Song: "Dare to do Right," S. S. Song Book. 
Picture: President Joseph F. Smith. 

Outline : - 

I. Early History of President Joseph F. Smith. 

1. Conditions of birth. 

2. Martyrdom of Father. 

3. Responsibilities. 

II. Bravery and Fidelity Shown. 
1. Importance of cattle. 



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PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



2. Appearance of Indians. 

3. His impulses, thought wild ride, and results. 

4. Relief and search for cattle. 

5. Braven^ means of saving cattle. 

III. Another Incident. 

1. Coming from Sandwich Islands. 

2. Bitter feeling against "Mormons" found. 

3. Camp made. 

4. Gathering wx>od. 

5. Toughs ride into camp 

6. "Why should I fear them?" 

7. Question and answer. 

IV. Other Ways in Which Bravery is Shown. 

Point of Contact : Which do you like best, a coward 
or a brave boy? Tell us of some brave boys. What 
brave men have you heard of? See this picture (show 
picture). This is a very brave man. Don't you think he 
looks strong and brave ? What is his name ? How many 
of you have ever seen him. What position did he occupy? 

Lesson Statement : Our hero was the son of Hyrum 
Smith and a nephew of the Prophet Joseph Smith, both 
of whom were killed by wicked men because they loved 
the Lord. His name was Joseph F. Smith. He went on 
several missions, and while yet a young man, was called 
(to be an Apostle, and, later, after the death of President 
Lorenzo Snow, became President of the Church. He had 
much to do with the building of temples as he was very 
much interested in the dead being baptized for that they 
might see the kingdom of God. 

President Smith was brave even when a child. His 
mother was also very brave. Even when her son. Joseph, 
was born, his father Hyrum Smith was in prison with 
his brother, the Prophet Joseph, just because th'ev were 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 



105 



not afraid to do right. The wicked men were so angry 
they sought to kill them. In fact, that is just what they 
said they were going to do. The mother was forced to 
leave with the Saints, while the Father was still in prison. 
A number of years after the father and uncle were both 
martyred. They died for the gospel's sake. 

When the Saints were driven from Nauvoo, President 
Smith was only eight years old ; but he drove a yoke of 
oxen and a wagon almost all the distance through Iowa to 
Winter Quarters. While there he tended his mother's 
cattle which were their only hope of means for immigra- 
tion to the valley. "This fact was deeply impressed upon 
the boy, so that he came to view them as a precious 
heritage, as well as a priceless charge given to him as a 
herd boy. He understood the responsibility; and that is 
much, for neither Joseph, the boy, nor Joseph, the man, 
was ever known to shirk a duty or prove recreant to a 
responsibility. 

"One morning, in company with Alden and Thomas 
Burdick, he set out upon the usual duties of the day. The 
cattle were feeding in the valley, some distance from the 
settlement, which valley was reached in two ways, one 
over a bench or plateau, the other through a ravine or 
small canyon. The boys had each a horse. Joseph's was 
a bay mare, swifter than the others. Alden suggested that 
Thomas and Joseph go the short route to the left over 
the bench ; and he would go up the canyon o the right, 
so that they would met in the valley from the two direc- 
tions. The suggestion was gladly adopted ; and the two 
set out with youthful frolic, and soon arrived at the upper 
end of the valley, where the cattle could be seen feeding 
by a stream which divided in the center and wound down 
the canyon from the direction of the settlement. Having 



106 



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the day before them, they amused themselves with run- 
ning their horses, and later, in jumping them over a little 
gully in the upper part of the valley. As they were en- 
gaged in this amusement, suddenly a band of twenty or 
thirty Indians came into view, round a point in the lower 
end of the valley, some distance below the cattle. Thom- 
as first saw them, and frantically yelled, "Indians!'' at the 

same time turning his 
horse for the bench to ride 
home. Joseph started to 
follow, but the thought 
came to his mind, "My 
cattle, I must save my cat- 
tle!" From that moment 
only this thought filled his 
mind; everything else was 
blank and dark. He headed 
his horse for the cattle, to 
get around the herd before 
the reds should reach it. 
One Indian * * * passed 
him, flying to catch Thom- 
as. Joseph reached the head 
President Joseph F. Smith o f the herd, and succeeded 
in turning the cattle up the ravine just as the Indians 
approached. His efforts, coupled with the rush and yells 
of the Indians, stampeded the herd up the valley, follow- 
ed by Joseph who, by keping his horse on the dead run, 
succeded for some time in keeping himself between the 
herd and the Indians! Here was a picture! The boy, the 
cattle, the Indians, headed on the run for the settlement! 
Finally, the reds cut him off from the herd, wherupon 
he turned, going down stream a distance, then circling 




CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 107 

around the ravine to the right, to reach the cattle from the 
side. He had not gone far in that direction when other 
Indians were seen. They started for him, overtaking him 
as he emerged from the valley. He still spurred his horse, 
going at full speed ; and while thus riding, two of the naked 
reds closed up beside him in the wild race, and took him, 
while the horses were going at full speed, one by the arm 
and the other by the right leg, then suddenly dropping 
him to the ground. 

"Undoubtedly he would have been scalped but for 
the timely appearance of a company of men going to the 
hay fields on the opposite side of the ravine, which scared 
the Indians away, they having obtained both the boys' 
horses for their pains. In the meantime, Thomas had 
given the alarm. Two relief companies were formed in 
the settlement, one a posse of horsemen ***** 
who went up the canyon and found the cattle * * * * 
while the other took the bench route, and discovered 
Joseph who with them spent the day in a fruitless search 
for the Indians and the cattle supposed to have been stol- 
en. T remember, on my way home/ says Joseph, 'how I 
sat down and wept for my cattle, and how the thought of 
meeting mother, who could not now go to the valley, 
wrung my soul with anguish,' But happily, his bravery 
and fidelity to trust, which are indisolubly interwoven 
with his character as a man, had saved the herd." 

Another incident showing his courage and integrity 
occurred when he was returning from a mission to the 
Sandwich Islands, in the fall of 1857. He came home by 
way of Los Angeles, by what was called the Southern 
route. In that year Johnston's army was on the move for 
Utah, and naturally enough there was much excitement 
and bitterness of feeling concerning the "Mormons." In 

30 



108 



PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



southern California, just after the little train of wagons 
had traveled a short distance and made their camp, sev- 
eral anti-"Mormon" toughs rode into camp on horseback, 
cursing and swearing and threatening what they would do 
to the "Mormons." Joseph F. Smith was a little distance 
from the camp gathering wood for the fire ; but he saw 
that the few members of his own party had cautiously 
gone into the brush down the crek out of sight. When 
he saw that, the thought came into his mind, "Shall I run 
from these fellows? Why should I fear them?" With 
that he marched up with his arms full of wood to the 
campfire where one of the ruffians, still with pistol in 
hand, shouting and cursing about the "Mormons" in a 
loud voice said to President Sm^th. 
"Are you a 'Mormon'?" 

And the answer came straight, "Yes, sir, true blue, 
through and through." 

At that the ruffian grasped him by the hand and said, 
'Shake, young fellow, I am glad to see a man that stands 
up for his convictions," This incident shows again the 
inherent bravery, courage, and integrity of the man. 

Such a brave man was our president. He was just as 
brave in other things — speaking the truth, obeying the 
will of our Heavenly Father, always doing what he knew 
to be right even in persecution. The Lord knew how 
brave and strong he was and that is why He chose him to 
such a high position — the highest position on the earth. 

President Smth had great faith and gifts also. He 
performed many wonderful healings through the power 
of the Lord. 

Application: Tell of some brave act you have seen. 
AVhat kinds of bravery are there? What are some things 
we can do? 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 109 



LESSON 24. HEBER J. GRANT 

Reference.: L. D. S. Biographical Encyclopedia 
(Jenson) Vol. I, p. 147, "Juvenile Instructor" for January, 
1919; "Era" for January, 1919; "Essentials in Church 
History," pp. 638-642. 

Aim and Memory Gem: "Honor thy father and thy 
mother that thy days may be long- upon the land which 
the Lord thy God giveth thee." 

Picture: President Heber J. Grant. 

Song: "Obedience," Kindergarten and Primary 
Songs (Thomassen), page 16. 

Outline : 

I. A Native Son. 

1. His parentage. 

2. Following in footsteps of his father. 

II. Characteristics. 

1. Reverence and love for mother. 

2. Perseverance. 

3. Manliness. 

4. True charity. 

III. Called to the Apos'tleship. 

1. Felt unworthy. 

2. His prayer. 

3. Manifestations from the Lord. 

IV. Missionary Travels. 

1. Over large portions of the earth. 

V. Called a Prophet, Seer and Revelator. 

VI. His Message to the Young. 

Point of Contact : Do you remember a story we had 
in our class last year about a little boy to whom God 
spoke in the Temple? What was his name? Yes, Sam- 



110 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



uel. You will remember that he was his mother's only 
son, and she gave him to the service of the Lord. How 
did God call him? That was many hundreds of years 
ago. Would you like to hear about another boy who was 
the only son of a mother who also loved the Lord and 
desired her son to serve Him all the days of his life? Do 
you know that this boy is alive today and has served the 
Lord thus far all his life? 

Lesson Statement: We all have reason to feel a spe- 
cial pride in this boy, for he was born in our own loved 
Utah ; grew up in these same valleys ; surrounded by these 
same mountains ; who played marbles and base ball, ran 
races and went to school, just as our boys are doing now; 
who so loves us and all men and women that he does 
nothing else but try to do good to all. 

We can well afford to honor him because God has honor- 
ed him as few men have been honored, for He has called and 
ordained him to be a prophet ; to lead His Church upon 
the earth ; to be its president and to see that the Gospel — 
which is the only way by which people can go back to our 
Heavenly Father — is sent to all the people of the world. 
He is the seventh president of the Church in these last 
days. His name is Heber J. Grant. Have you ever seen 
him? (Show picture.) 

Some of the elder members of our Sunday Schools 
knew his father, who was a counselor to President Brig- 
ham Young", and was the first mayor of Salt Lake City. 
He died when our President Grant was but nine days 
old. Many of our members knew his mother, who was 
one of those s^weet, gentle, good women we all love ; and 
whom President Grant loved very dearly. She taught 
him the Gospel and to be truthful, kind, thoughtful, help- 
ful to others, and brave enough to stand up for what he 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 111 



believed to be right and true; and he has obeyed all 
through his life that commandment which God gave long, 
long ago, "Honor thy father and thy mother;" and he has 
received one of the blessings that follow obedience, for 
his "days have been long upon the land." Let us repeat 
that commandment: "Honor thy father and thy mother 




that thy days may be 
long upon the land 
which the Lord thy God, 
giveth thee." 

President Grant's 
mother belonged to the 
Relief Society and spent 
much time in visiting the 
sick and the poor. He 
being her only son, she 
took him with her, so 
when very young, he 
learned the lesson and 
felt the blessing and 
pleasure of service— 
that is, he felt the joy 
tha|t comes from being 



President Heber J. Grant g 00 d to others. 
As a boy he was not very strong and looked rather thin, 
particularly while he was growing fast ; and yet he wanted 
to be manly and able to do everything worth doing as well 
as any other boy could do them. When some boys 
laughed at him because he didn't throw a ball strong and 
straight, he made up his mind to learn how to do it bet- 
ter than the boys who laughed at him, so he practiced 
throwing at a mark on a barn until he could throw a ball 
straighter than any of them and became one of the best 



112 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 



ball players in our state. He was a poor penman and 
wanted to become a good one, so he set himself to practic- 
ing until he became one of the best penmen in the state. 
I wish you could see his writing, for I am sure you 
would think it beautiful. It was hard for him to keep his 
voice in tune when singing, and yet he loved singing. He 
determined to overcome this, and practiced and practiced, 
singing certain songs hundreds and hundreds of times 
until he learned how to sing well. 

His father, having spent most of his time in Church 
work, was not rich when he died, and so President Grant's 
mother was rather poor as far as money is concerned : 
Her home was a very modest one. While he was still 
quite young, the house became in need of repairs and the 
bishop wanted to fix its roof and make the house look 
better. President Grant did not like other people to help 
his mother. He objected to the Bishop repairing the 
house, promising his mother that he would grow up and 
build her a new home. And he did That house is stand- 
ing today Whle he does not like to receive gifts, he loves 
to give to others who are in need, and never lets a chance 
to do good go by unheeded. Nor is his helpfulness to 
others confined to giving money or food or clothing, but 
he does good in many other ways just as necessary and 
just as helpful. 

When he was called to be an apostle of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, he felt that he was unworthy for such a 
position, that he was not wise enough, and wondered why 
he had been called. He prayed to our Heavenly Father 
that he might know whether or not He, the Lord, had 
really called him. One day he was traveling in Arizona, 
riding a horse and alone at the time, the Lord made 



CHURCH HISTORY STORIES 113 



known to him that his earthly father, who had served 
the Lord so well, and the Prophet Joseph Smith, who had 
died for the Gospel, both of whom had been faithful, 
desired that he be called, and inasmuch as he had kept 
himself clean and pure, the Lord had in very deed called 
him to the position. He had never doubted it, but has 
devoted his life to the doing- of God's will. 

He has traveled over a large part of the earth as a 
missionary, having gone over most of our own United 
States, England, Scotland, Wales, Denmark, France, 
Japan, and other countries ; and now God has called him 
to be Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the 
Church in all the world. 

This is part of a message he sent to all the boys and 
girls of the Church over twenty years ago : "Honor thy 
father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon 
the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Be for- 
giving; be charitable. Try to get the Spirit of God to aid 
you in the accomplishment of your work; try to make 
others happy." 

Application: Aren't we all thankful to our Heavenly 
Father for our fathers and mothers? What do they do 
for us? How can we show our love for them ? What has 
God said to us about them? Let us all say: "Honor thy 
father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon 
the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." 



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